Inside South Korea’s Social Impact

  Throughout my time covering South Korea's social impact landscape, I noticed a striking common denominator among most practitioners: an earnest thirst to study and grow. From an outside perspective, working in social impact might appear straightforward or driven merely by goodwill. In reality, it demands rigorous professionalism. Furthermore, with related policies, regulations, and institutional frameworks constantly shifting, ongoing learning is indispensable.   <Read 1 Part first> Why Social Impact Practitioners Must Keep Studying: The Case for Lifelong Learning (Part 1)   Yet many practitioners find themselves submerged in daily operations, struggling to carve out dedicated time for professional development. Because authentic learning is not something that can be achieved through short-lived sprints, taking that very first step often feels overwhelming. On top of that, many are left wondering where to begin or which institutions offer meaningful learnin...

  Even now, having stepped back from my former role as a reporter to catch my breath and run this blog, I continue to stay in close touch with the changemakers and contacts I met on the frontlines of the social impact sector. They span a wide spectrum — from early-career professionals taking their very first steps in the field to mid-level managers now serving as the backbone of their organizations.   Yet, whenever I talk with them, I consistently encounter a shared yearning: a deep thirst for "study" and continuous learning. Those who are drawn to the social impact space and wish to build lasting careers here invariably voice that ongoing education is vital. To maintain genuine professionalism within South Korea's social sector, one must not only navigate rapidly shifting public policies and legal frameworks, but also constantly study methodologies to realize the social value their organizations champion. Furthermore, cultivating structural insight into the history a...

  Back when I was in school, getting into a prestigious university was considered life’s ultimate milestone. To achieve that goal, my days stretched late into the night — staying at school for mandatory self-study sessions, rushing to private cram schools (hagwons), and studying in silent cubicles at reading rooms. Once in college, preparing to enter the workforce meant another frantic race: collecting certificates, polishing credentials, and accumulating internships. From my teenage years through early adulthood, I lived under constant pressure to prove who I was and what value I could demonstrate.   From what I hear and observe today, life for the younger generation has become even more demanding. In my work reporting from the frontlines of social innovation, I have had frequent opportunities to meet young people in their twenties and thirties. They carry fresh, diverse ideas for changing society. Yet, alongside that drive, they wrestle with deep uncertainties: Is this t...