South Korea will introduce a five-year grace period allowing mid-sized companies to retain that status after meeting large-enterprise criteria, while investing 1 trillion won ($721 million) in 10 system-level technologies. The measures form part of the Third Basic Plan for Promoting the Growth of Mid-Sized Enterprises (2026-2030), or Growth Ladder 2030 for Mid-Sized Companies, unveiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The plan seeks to raise mid-sized companies' share of revenue from 15% to 30% by 2030, increase the proportion of anchor firms with proprietary technology from 32% to 40%, and lift the share of mid-sized companies outside the Seoul metropolitan area from 36% to 50%. It addresses the support cliff and regulatory burden that can arise as companies grow, linking assistance for research and development, demonstration, production and exports across growth stages. The measures also include more than 13.7 trillion won in regional investment, support for the AI transition of about 350 companies by 2030, and full-cycle assistance for 10 newly designated World Class Plus companies. The Federation of Middle Market Enterprises of Korea called the package forward-looking and concrete, with Chairman Choi Jin-sik saying it reflected continued government-business communication and could help ease the industry's growth paradox.