• The "Hidden Champion" model, which backed the success stories of traditional manufacturing powerhouses Germany and Japan, is facing a severe crisis due to its structural limitations and delayed digital transformation.

• In contrast, China is fundamentally restructuring the global manufacturing landscape by driving the explosive growth of "Little Giant" enterprises through its unique nurturing policy known as Specialized, Refined, Differential, and Innovative (SRUI) Enterprises.

• This paradigm shift is transforming the core competitive dynamics of global supply chains, posing a direct threat and a critical challenge to South Korea, particularly in the materials, parts, and equipment sectors.