In Korea, Small but Strong SMEs (강소기업) are designated to highlight reputable, high-quality employers among small and mid-sized firms. The program is managed within the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) ecosystem and surfaced on WorkNet/Work24 for jobseekers and employers. Selection is time-limited and periodically renewed.
What is a “Small but Strong SME”?
A Small but Strong SME is a company recognized by MOEL-affiliated programs for being a “small yet strong” employer—meeting baseline compliance and creditworthiness standards and performing well on indicators like work-life balance, pay, job stability, and innovation capability.
Who can receive this certification?
- Baseline eligibility: Not on the public wage-arrears list; not listed for serious industrial-accident disclosures; credit rating B- or higher; not a large enterprise group or public corporation; generally ≥10 employees (construction: ≥30).
- Selection indicators: Companies are evaluated on work-life balance (flex hours, on-time leave, childcare support), wage/benefits (entry pay, bonuses), employment stability (regular-employee ratio, youth employment), and innovation capacity.
- Pathways & validity: Firms may be recommended by central/local public bodies or apply directly; selections are announced by MOEL and carry a fixed validity period.
What does the certification indicate about the business?
This designation signals that the firm passed government baseline checks (credit, safety/compliance) and ranked well on employment quality metrics. It is an employer-quality marker, not a product or industry license: it helps jobseekers, partners, and public programs identify SMEs with solid workplace practices and stability.
Coverage in KOBDi: The KOBDi database includes companies designated as Small but Strong SMEs (강소기업). This information appears on each Business Profile page, and companies with this designation can be found via the KOBDi Korea Industry Search.