Pohang lawmaker wins final passage of ordinance to protect small business owners from crime

The Pohang City Council in North Gyeongsang Province announced Wednesday that a partial amendment to the city's ordinance on small business owner support, sponsored by An Dae-cheon of the People Power Party on the Economic and Industrial Committee, passed at the plenary session of the 333rd extraordinary session.

The amendment was drafted to bring the city ordinance in line with the newly added Article 12-9 of the Act on the Protection of and Support for Small Business Owners, which covers protections for small business owners at risk of becoming crime victims.

Key provisions include a new legal basis for supplying crime-prevention equipment and materials to sole proprietors and women-owned small businesses, as well as a framework for cooperation with the local police precinct, relevant corporations and organizations to strengthen protections for small business owners.

Pohang Northern Police Station Chief Park Sin-jong played a notable role in the amendment process, taking a particular interest in creating a safer business environment and preventing crime against small business owners. The council's Economic and Industrial Committee also actively gathered input from relevant agencies and on-the-ground stakeholders in seeking ways to improve the system.

"This ordinance amendment is expected to bring meaningful, positive change in creating an environment where women and sole-proprietor small business owners can work with peace of mind," An said.