Rep. Song Seok-jun Introduces Bill to Support Self-Employed Workers' Comeback

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Um In-yong] Rep. Song Seok-jun of the People Power Party (Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, Chair of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee) announced on the 6th that he has introduced an amendment to the "Small Business Owners Act" as the primary sponsor.

The bill is primarily designed to allow support for small business owners, including closure assistance funds and basic living expenses during preparation for business restart or job reemployment.

Rep. Song explained that the introduction of this bill comes as consecutive closures of small business operations have become a social issue in recent times, and it aims to support cases where small business owners are forced to close regardless of their responsibility.

However, the provision applies only to cases where small business owners close their businesses with no fault of their own or for reasons beyond their control, such as those specified by presidential decree.

Under current law, there was no substantial legal basis for support when small business owners closed due to reasons beyond their fault.

Therefore, when this bill is passed, small business owners forced to close for unavoidable reasons are expected to be relieved of the burden of covering facility demolition costs, rent, loan repayment, and other expenses associated with closure at their own expense.

The detailed contents of the amendment introduced by Rep. Song Seok-jun are as follows:

△Support targets are defined as small business owners who closed due to changes in laws and regulations, and △other closure cases with no fault on the part of the small business owner, as specified by presidential decree.

Additionally, △the bill allows support for affected small business owners, including closure assistance funds and basic living expenses during preparation for business restart or job reemployment.

Furthermore, △basic living expenses are set based on amounts calculated in accordance with the "National Basic Living Security Act," ensuring objectivity and effectiveness of support.

Meanwhile, Rep. Song Seok-jun stated, "We must not place all responsibility for closure on small business owners who are forced to cease operations overnight due to changes in laws and systems." He added, "When this amendment passes, it is expected to provide a stepping stone for small business owners who had no choice but to close and will greatly contribute to resolving livelihood issues."