Small Biz Owners Urge End to Violent Protests

Fourteen groups representing small business owners and the self-employed yesterday demanded an end to violent protests and for the government to take strong action.

“The protracted candlelight vigils and their violence have taken a detrimental toll on the grassroots economy, threatening the livelihoods of many small business owners,” the groups said in a news conference in downtown Seoul.

They included cooperatives and associations of small business owners, including those of supermarkets, restaurants and cleaning services. “The grassroots economy is the first victim of social turmoil,” they said.

A small business in Korea is defined as having fewer than 10 employees in manufacturing and fewer than five in the service sector. The self-employed refer to those who offer services with fewer than five employees.

”The economy is on the brink of collapse as candlelight protests that began in opposition to U.S. beef imports have been tainted by violence, and anxiety is rising over a series of strikes,” the groups said.

“With all our hearts, we, the 2.7 million small business owners in Korea, sincerely ask the protesters to realize that the grassroots economy is at risk and thus end their vigils that are crippling the running of national affairs.”

The groups criticized lawmakers, whom they said insisting on a de facto boycott of the National Assembly, making citizens lose their hopes for tomorrow.

The groups also urged the government to humbly listen to the public’s voice but enforce strict control over violent protests, saying, “We hope to see unswerving bipartisan efforts at work to save the economy.”

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