Kim Hye-kyung attends the opening ceremony of Women's Entrepreneurship Week and offers encouragement - Leadership of empathy in women's economic activities.

Attendance and encouragement at the Women's Entrepreneurship Week opening ceremony

On July 1, 2025, the opening ceremony of the 4th Women's Entrepreneurship Week was held at the Dynasty Hall of the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. First Lady Kim Hye-kyung attended the event and shared the space with over 500 women entrepreneurs, delivering messages of deep empathy and encouragement. Along with the symbolism of being the First Lady's solo official engagement, the message she conveyed that day goes beyond mere encouragement, posing fundamental questions about South Korea's economy, society, and leadership. "Women entrepreneurs are the key to unlocking hope for tomorrow." This phrase, which is the official slogan of this year's Women's Entrepreneurship Week and was quoted by Kim Hye-kyung in her speech, symbolically illustrates the direction that Korean society should take in the future. In the midst of complex crises such as the glass ceiling, career interruptions, low birth rates, and slow growth, women's economic activity must no longer be a peripheral topic but should become a central issue. Kim emphasized that “the continuous challenges faced by women entrepreneurs are opening new possibilities for the South Korean economy,” which also manifested as a concrete practice of empathetic leadership that the First Lady can demonstrate. More important than the mere fact of 'being present' is 'for what purpose' and 'with whom' one was there. Kim Hye-kyung's actions prompt us to question why empathetic leadership is essential for women's economic activities today.

Current Status and Structural Challenges of Women Entrepreneurs

Today, there are approximately 3.26 million women-owned enterprises in South Korea. This accounts for around 40% of all businesses, and they are recognized as key economic players contributing to employment, innovation, and the diversification of industries, beyond just their numerical scale. In particular, women-owned businesses have been found to employ female workers at rates that are double those of male-owned enterprises, serving as an important platform in addressing employment inequality and supporting work-family balance. However, the reality faced by women entrepreneurs remains challenging. Difficulties in securing startup funding, career interruptions due to family caregiving, and barriers to entering male-dominated business networks are cited as the greatest constraints to the expansion of women-owned enterprises. The proportion of women entrepreneurs remains in the 30% range of total startups, with even lower rates in technology-based startups. Women's wages in South Korea are about 70% of men's, a gap wider than the OECD average, reflecting the structural reality that women have a weaker foundation for independence in the management tier of businesses. This reality is not simply a gender issue but is directly related to the sustainability of the entire South Korean economy. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has suggested that if South Korea raises its female employment rate to the OECD average, per capita GDP could increase by about 18%. Additionally, a McKinsey report projected that reducing the economic participation gap for women could boost South Korea's GDP by as much as 9%. This indicates that women's economic participation should be seen not only as a realization of social justice but also as a strategic approach for substantial economic growth.

Conditions of Leadership in Empathy

The speech delivered by Kim Hye-kyung at the opening ceremony of Women's Entrepreneurship Week did not simply end as political rhetoric. She directly expressed her deep empathy for the difficulties faced on the ground by stating, "Women entrepreneurs are confronted with various practical limitations such as the glass ceiling, career interruptions, and funding barriers." This remark clearly indicates her commitment to listening to the voices of real women entrepreneurs, rather than just participating in a superficial event. Empathy is not just an emotion it is an essential element of leadership. For those seeking new breakthroughs within marginalized or unequal structures, empathy also serves as a language of trust. The 'leadership standing by' chosen by Kim can be the basis of not just comforting words, but also of policy and cultural support. This illustrates that the role of the First Lady can extend beyond mere protocol and symbolism to become a substantive agent of social communication. Women entrepreneurs are not merely individuals operating businesses they are complex entities that simultaneously support homes, communities, and industries. There is a need for political partners who genuinely understand and support the multifaceted burdens and constraints they experience. Kim Hye-kyung's empathy signifies an emotional solidarity with such realities and can serve as a driving force for policy and institutional improvements.

The Social Ripple Effect of Empathetic Leadership

Empathetic leadership possesses the power to drive concrete changes across society, transcending mere emotional alignment. First, empathy encourages policy connections. The message from Kim Hye-kyung naturally links to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' support policies for women-owned businesses, fostering social interest in securing start-up funds, consulting, and technology development. Efforts to understand the lives of women entrepreneurs up close can guide the direction of system design to better fit reality. Secondly, empathy spreads best practices. During the opening ceremony of Women Entrepreneurs Week, CEO Jin Deok-soo of Daehong Costec received the Gold Tower Industrial Medal. This case exemplifies that women-owned businesses possess sufficient competitiveness in the technology and manufacturing sectors and are contributing practically to national industrial development. When such cases are illuminated through the lens of empathy, society begins to perceive women’s economic activities not as exceptions or special cases but as a standard. Thirdly, empathy reinforces psychological support. When leaders acknowledge the difficulties faced on the ground and stand together in solidarity, members feel they are not alone. Kim Hye-kyung's eye contact, handshake, and encouragement with women entrepreneurs exert influence beyond direct policies. This serves as a catalyst for spreading a culture of respect and trust towards women-owned businesses throughout society. Empathy is culture, and culture is sustainability.

Conclusion - From Empathy to Action, Accompanying Women's Economy

The attendance of First Lady Kim Hye-kyung at the opening ceremony of this Women's Entrepreneurship Week is not just a simple event. The fact that she was present, listened to the voices on the ground, and offered support in a language of empathy conveys a deep message of solidarity for the economic activities of female entrepreneurs. The leadership she has chosen as First Lady is closer to "the language of people" than "the language of policy," which can serve as a foundation for expanding social trust alongside the growth of women-led businesses. True empathy is realized when encouragement translates into action. The message of empathy must lead to greater attention and institutional improvements, which is the warmest and most powerful way to overcome the realities faced by women in the economy today. Women's economic activities are the key to opening the door to the future of South Korea. The fact that there is a leader who empathizes and walks alongside them will be the most solid support for countless women entrepreneurs. It reaffirms that the leadership of this era starts not just by commanding and designing, but by standing together, listening, feeling, and practicing. The future opens in this way.