Korea’s startup policy is stepping further onto the global stage with APEC SME Ministerial 2025 in Jeju. Minister Han Seong-sook of SMEs and Startups framed APEC’s role as an crucial launchpad where policy cooperation, venture capital, and talent exchange can converge. And so, the event marks an opportunity for Korean SMEs and startups to expand internationally.

Korea’s Strategic Use of APEC to Support Global Expansion

At the 2025 APEC SME Ministerial Meeting in Jeju, Minister Han Seong-sook of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) framed Korea’s role in APEC as more than hosting a high-level gathering. The minister stated that the meeting marked a turning point in how Korea leverages policy collaboration, capital flows, and talent exchange networks across the Asia-Pacific to accelerate global expansion for Korean startups and SMEs.

Han Seong-sook stressed that this was the first multilateral international conference hosted by the ministry since its establishment in 2017, describing it as both a symbolic and practical opportunity:

“The APEC SME Ministerial Meeting is a stepping stone for our SMEs and startups to expand globally through cooperative networks among member economies.”

Building Networks Across Asia-Pacific Economies

The Minister further highlighted how the event connected Korea with 21 APEC economies, collectively grappling with shared challenges such as climate change and demographic shifts. She described the summit as a venue to activate global linkages where technology, capital, and talent can circulate more freely.

The Minister of SMEs and Startups also positioned the meeting as a launchpad for new bilateral and multilateral partnerships. She discussed with counterparts from Vietnam, China, Japan, Indonesia, and Peru, each exploring avenues of collaboration.

In the discussions, Vietnam’s Vice Minister of Planning and Investment, Nguyen Duc Tam, reportedly showed particular interest in Korea’s policies on AI transformation (AX), green transition (GX), biotechnology, semiconductors, and global startup collaboration.

Minister Han Seong-sook explained that ASEAN nations in particular are seeking smart manufacturing innovation:

“ASEAN countries face strong demand for digital and smart manufacturing systems. This creates natural opportunities for Korean SMEs and startups to connect their digital innovation strengths with local needs.”

Korea’s Venture and Innovation Ecosystem on Display

Alongside bilateral diplomacy, the MSS minister used linked programs such as the Global Venture Investment Summit in APEC and the SME Innovation Network Forum to introduce Korea’s ₩12.5 trillion (~$9.4B USD) venture investment ecosystem to global investors and policymakers.

She emphasized that Korea’s SMEs and startups already demonstrate proven competitiveness, with venture-backed innovation across digital technologies, AI, semiconductors, and green solutions increasingly attracting overseas interest.

Lastly, Han Seong-sook positioned the ministry’s role as one of expanding this reach by aligning domestic innovation with APEC’s regional priorities.

From Policy Forum to Startup Launchpad

The APEC SME Week in Jeju included over ten side programs, from the Global Venture Investment Summit to the SME Technology & Management Innovation Expo, drawing more than 14,000 visitors from September 1 and expected to exceed 20,000 participants overall.

Yet for MSS, the real measure of success lies in whether the joint declaration adopted by the 21 member economies on September 5 translates into actionable cooperation — from joint research initiatives to investment commitments and human capital exchanges.

Minister Han Seong-sook framed the opportunity as a strategic catalyst:

“We hope this summit becomes a catalyst for APEC-wide cooperation in research, investment, and human capital exchange. The ministry will continue to support the ClimateTech and startup ecosystems so Korean innovators can build sustainable global competitiveness.”

APEC as a Platform for International Startup Collaboration

Finally, by embedding Korean SMEs and startups into regional cooperation frameworks, MSS is signaling a long-term strategy to use APEC as both a diplomatic forum and a platform for scaling innovation.

The 2025 APEC SME Ministerial demonstrated how Korea is aligning startup policy, venture capital ecosystems, and bilateral diplomacy into an integrated approach — one that positions Korean SMEs and startups as active participants in solving the Asia-Pacific’s shared challenges, from climate response to digital transformation.

For Korea’s startup ecosystem, the summit highlighted that global expansion will increasingly be enabled not just by private capital, but by cross-border networks anchored in policy collaboration through APEC.

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