"To help SMEs escape from hardships this year, the committee will actively encourage SMEs to establish a win-win strategy with large companies or public corporations." To tide over mounting difficulties, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should seek a win-win strategy with large companies or public corporations in 2006, according to one of Korea's senior lawmakers. "In 2005, SMEs faced serious difficulties stemming from sluggish domestic consumption, worsened financial environment, and shortage of raw materials in the wake of a surge in oil prices," Rep. Kim Yong-gap, chairman of the National Assembly's Commerce, Industry and Energy Committee, said. In an interview with the Korea IT Times, Kim said, "To help SMEs escape from such hardships this year, the committee will actively encourage SMEs to establish a win-win strategy with large companies or public corporations." Noting that one of the most important issues to be dealt with by the committee this year is active supports for SMEs, Rep. Kim said, "Both the government and the National Assembly should work together to inject fresh vigor into SMEs and the domestic economy." "In addition, I am making a strong push for revamp of relevant laws and regulations this year to remove long-lasting conflicts between city gas suppliers and district heating suppliers," said Rep. Kim To solve the chronic problem, we should make access to the issue from the state's energy strategic aspects, he said adding, "I am now in consultation with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy regarding the matter." As for the National Assembly's plan to lend support for IT and electronics sectors as a means of making South Korea an IT powerhouse in the world, he said, "Frankly speaking, many s u p p o r t i n g measures are being sought in the Science, Technology, Information and Communication Committee, rather than in the Commerce, Industry and Energy Committee." From the industrial aspect, however, the Commerce, Industry & Energy Committee is also seeking a variety of supporting means for the IT and electronics industries. In particular, we are exerting all-out efforts for improving the environment surrounding venture companies, he said. Commenting that some venture companies failed to use supporting funds for their business projects properly in the past, resulting in business failure, Rep. Kim said that the committee plans to establish a stabilized supporting tool for venture companies this year. "In keeping with this, venture entrepreneurs are also required to faithfully keep sound entrepreneurship and strive to make a success in the venture business," said the veteran lawmaker. Asked about main issues he dealt with in 2005 as chairman of National Assembly's Commerce, Industry and Energy Committee, Rep. Kim said, "While taking office as the committee chairman, I placed top priorities on several matters personally." Firstly, I decided to make a "pleasant commerce, industry and energy committee together with the people." Secondly, I was resolved to remove traditional authoritarianism from the National Assembly. Related to this, I changed desk and chair of the committee chairman to ordinary ones of general committee members, while removing a gavel. In summer, I presided over the committee meetings, while taking off jacket and without a necktie, and requested participating public servants to follow me. For the first time in the history of the National Assembly, I carried out on-the-spot parliamentary inspections of many places, including a conventional market, a candle light demonstration spot and a nuclear reactor, to hear people's actual voices and reflect them to enacting laws and regulations. In fact, he said, the Commerce, Industry & Energy Committee does not attract keen attention from the people, considering the importance of its business. Taking into account that the National Assembly is the most direct route to reflect public opinions of the people, I think, it has a problem. "Accordingly, I'd like to let many people know more about the activities of the Commerce, Industry and Energy Committee. In line with this, I exerted best efforts to herald the committee's activities to the people in a sincere attitude, while striving to enliven the national economy," he said. As a result, our committee was selected as the best standing committee in the parliamentary inspections of government offices. And, we could do many things for boosting the national economy through parliamentary inspections of government offices and budget screening. I cannot be 100% satisfied with the committee's activities in 2005, but I think the committee has reached a satisfactory level. --- Q: Would you outline the policy direction of the National Assembly's Commerce, Industry & Energy Committee for 2006 A: Although we exerted best efforts for reform of the Commerce, Industry and Energy Committee last year, there are still many problems to be solved. In 2006, we will redouble efforts to make it a "pleasant commerce, industry & energy committee, which works together with the people." And, I plan to spread such a changing climate to all sectors of the National Assembly. Q: A number of important issues were settled in the commerce, industry and energy in 2005. Would you comment on your impressions and appraisals on the matters A: In fact, there were many epochmaking decisions and changes in the commerce, industry and energy in 2005. While serving as chairman of the Commerce, Industry & Energy Committee at such an important time, I felt a heavy burden personally, but I dealt with the matters with great pleasure. In particular, I think, the year 2005 deserves to be registered as epochmaking in the promotion of state projects as Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province was selected as the nuclear waste dumpsite through a vote. It is because the selection finally put an end to a 19-year-old controversy over where to build the low and intermediate level radioactive waste dump and laid the foundation for its construction. It is also quite significant in that the way the nuclear waste site was chosen suggests a new model for a democratic procedure in promoting state projects in the future. At the same time, the energy basic law concerning the overall state operational means in the energy sector was passed at the National Assembly. The year 2005 was a really meaningful year. Q: What are your hopes and aspirations for Korea's industries and its people A: The year 2005 was a very difficult year for all of us, including small and medium-sized enterprises. However, I think that the bigger difficulties we are facing, the greater joys and glories we will receive in the future. Our society is in serious difficulties owing to the polarization phenomenon and conflicts between different interest groups. Accordingly, I hope that all people will join hands and work together to build a wealthy and healthy country this year.