Rep. Lee Kwang-jae of the Democratic Party of Korea presented a new perspective on win-win cooperation in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). To help companies pursue their AI transformation (AX), he argued, the focus should shift from supporting individual firms to viewing large conglomerates and their suppliers as a single unit.
Speaking on the 9th at the State Guest House of the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, at the 2026 Korea Win-Win Conference held under the theme "Growth for Both Large and Small Businesses Through Win-Win Finance," Lee opened his remarks by saying, "AI is a great hope for growing our industries, but the moment we fall behind, it will come as great pain."
"In the smart factory project that supports the automation of small and medium-sized enterprises' production facilities, we could confirm that supporting individual firms is not effective," he said. "Bundling Samsung Electronics with its suppliers, and Hyundai Motor with its suppliers, to jointly pursue the great AI transformation is the fastest path to achieving AX."
He then noted the importance of platform sovereignty in the AI era. "An era has arrived in which AI replaces search engines and handles everything from product recommendation to payment," Lee said. "There is a concern that massive corporations with computing power could monopolize consumption channels."
"Devices such as smart TVs sold by Samsung and LG Electronics are known to number 700 million worldwide," he said. "We must create a way to sell Korean goods on these devices." He added, "Which distribution platform one holds will determine whether Korea can secure its digital economic territory."
Lee also proposed introducing a "factoring system" that would allow suppliers to convert their trade receivables into cash early. "The speed of money determines the economic growth rate," he said, pointing out that "110 trillion won in payments occur every day, but the further down the chain to second- to fourth-tier suppliers, the slower the pace of receiving payment."
"If a factoring system is introduced, lower-tier suppliers will receive payment quickly, reducing financing costs and accelerating the pace of reinvestment," he said. "This administration must fully introduce a factoring system."
Regarding measures to support small business owners, he explained, "Korea's annual point issuance amounts to 20 trillion won. If points accumulated at companies or airline mileage like these could be converted into local currency and used in the market, small business owners could be supported without spending taxpayers' money."
Lee concluded his congratulatory address by saying, "The tasks I have presented are possible only when there is a will to pursue a path where large and small businesses prosper together."
