S. Korea's Ministery of SMEs holds Secret Santa event for small business owners
- 3 years ago
중기부, '‘몰래산타’가 배달로봇 ‘딜리’와 함께 소상공인 응원 나서'
With Christmas just around the corner, South Korea's Minister of SMEs has become something of a secret Santa.. to support small businesses owners who have been hit hard by the pandemic.
The Minister visited several small businesses owners and delivered heartwarming presents to help cheer them up.
Our Eum Ji-young was there.
With South Korea's COVID-19 tally setting new daily records, what used to be a street full of customers visiting cafes and restaurants in Seoul's Samcheong-dong area... is nearly empty and many small businesses are struggling to stay afloat.
"The revenue has been cut by 80 to 90 percent compared to last year as the social distancing level went up to level two and stayed at level two-point-five."
In order to support small business owners, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups ran a special event. The minister gave presents to owners of struggling small businesses and talked to them about their concerns.
Booths were set up for the broadcasting of live shows...to promote local goods made by small and medium enterprises.... which can be purchased via an online Christmas Market.
"We launched this event as a thank-you to small business owners who have endured such a harsh year... and because of COVID-19, all our booths on the streets are unmanned."
"Boxes containing Santa masks, a mug, sweet pumpkin tteok or rice cakes and a sleep therapy kit were delivered to cheer up small business owners who are having tough times due to the pandemic."
Self-driving robots called 'Deli' made by the country's food delivery platform 'Baemin' carried the presents with Secret Santas like a Rudolph.
"The minister coming here today made me feel better and I think the government initiatives of running online markets such 'K-mas Market' helps many small business owners."
She also said that on top of these initiatives, she hopes the government can provide some relief for fixed costs including rent and employment costs that many small business owners are struggling with.
Eum Ji-young Arirang News.
With Christmas just around the corner, South Korea's Minister of SMEs has become something of a secret Santa.. to support small businesses owners who have been hit hard by the pandemic.
The Minister visited several small businesses owners and delivered heartwarming presents to help cheer them up.
Our Eum Ji-young was there.
With South Korea's COVID-19 tally setting new daily records, what used to be a street full of customers visiting cafes and restaurants in Seoul's Samcheong-dong area... is nearly empty and many small businesses are struggling to stay afloat.
"The revenue has been cut by 80 to 90 percent compared to last year as the social distancing level went up to level two and stayed at level two-point-five."
In order to support small business owners, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups ran a special event. The minister gave presents to owners of struggling small businesses and talked to them about their concerns.
Booths were set up for the broadcasting of live shows...to promote local goods made by small and medium enterprises.... which can be purchased via an online Christmas Market.
"We launched this event as a thank-you to small business owners who have endured such a harsh year... and because of COVID-19, all our booths on the streets are unmanned."
"Boxes containing Santa masks, a mug, sweet pumpkin tteok or rice cakes and a sleep therapy kit were delivered to cheer up small business owners who are having tough times due to the pandemic."
Self-driving robots called 'Deli' made by the country's food delivery platform 'Baemin' carried the presents with Secret Santas like a Rudolph.
"The minister coming here today made me feel better and I think the government initiatives of running online markets such 'K-mas Market' helps many small business owners."
She also said that on top of these initiatives, she hopes the government can provide some relief for fixed costs including rent and employment costs that many small business owners are struggling with.
Eum Ji-young Arirang News.