The Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME), the organizer of the rally, argued wage hikes would further worsen conditions for small businesses in food, accommodation and other sectors already suffering from declining sales amid an economic slowdown and increased costs.
The group demanded that the Minimum Wage Commission set different minimum wage rates for different industries. The panel is currently in the process of setting the minimum wage for next year.
![Small business owners chant slogans at minimum wage reform rally outside National Assembly Seoul June 25 2024 AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2024/06/25/20240625165143941217.jpg)
![Small business associations from across South Korea rally for minimum wage reform National Assembly Seoul June 25 2024 AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2024/06/25/20240625165549342144.jpg)
![Protester holds flag reading Living because I cant die at minimum wage reform rally National Assembly Seoul June 25 2024 AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2024/06/25/20240625165807447299.jpg)
![Protester displays placard calling for industry-specific minimum wages at reform rally National Assembly Seoul June 25 2024 AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2024/06/25/20240625170134631939.jpg)
![Participant wears hat with slogans at minimum wage reform rally National Assembly Seoul June 25 2024 AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2024/06/25/20240625170535696360.jpg)
![Small business owners rally demanding minimum wage reform National Assembly Seoul June 25 2024 AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2024/06/25/20240625170948336920.jpg)
![Small business owners rally demanding minimum wage reform National Assembly Seoul June 25 2024 AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2024/06/25/20240625171132126875.jpg)