[Interview] Questioning the Identity of South Korea's Social and Solidarity Economy (Part 1)

 What is the first step before embarking on new initiatives? In my view, it is constantly reflecting on and questioning our 'identity.' The essence of identity lies in providing certainty. To define our direction, initiate new work, and build solidarity with others, we need that core certainty. Identity serves as an unchanging foundation and a reliable compass showing where we are headed and why.

 

What identity does South Korea's Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) hold today? And how does Korea's historical and cultural heritage influence this modern identity? In 2022, the Korea Social Solidarity Economy Alliance (formerly the Korea Social Economy Alliance) published the "2022 Social Economy Identity Report." The report reviewed the history, achievements, and current landscape of South Korea's SSE to redefine its identity.

 

I sat down with Minsoo Kang, Executive Director of the Korea Social Solidarity Economy Alliance, who co-authored the report. Constantly reflecting on identity, he shared his hope that establishing a clear identity will guide today's SSE toward a more resilient future.

 

Minsoo Kang, Executive Director of the Korea Social Solidarity Economy Alliance, on the day of the interview. (Photo by Milly)

Q: Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

 

📣A: I began my journey in the field as a researcher at the Korea Cooperative Institute, later conducting education and consulting for social and solidarity economy enterprises. Afterward, I served as the Director of the Seoul Cooperative Support Center. Currently, I serve as Executive Director of the Korea Social Solidarity Economy Alliance and President of the Social Solidarity Economy Education Institute.

 

Q: Could you introduce the Korea Social Solidarity Economy Alliance and the Education Institute?

 

📣A: The Korea Social Solidarity Economy Alliance is a nationwide solidarity network representing regional, sectoral, and industry-specific SSE organizations across South Korea. We bring together 42 member organizations across 12 metropolitan regions and 4 industrial sectors.

 

Recently, we updated our organization's name from 'Korea Social Economy Alliance' to 'Korea Social Solidarity Economy Alliance.' This transition reflects an effort to evolve beyond simply creating jobs for vulnerable groups into mission-driven organizations that solve the pressing social challenges of our time. Moving forward, we hope that diverse forms of citizen economy, village economy, and social economy can actively generate social value under the shared umbrella of "Social Solidarity Economy."

 

To support this ecosystem, intermediary support systems—covering education, finance, market access, digital transformation, and consulting—are essential. However, substantial budget cuts under the previous administration created an 'educational desert' in the sector. In response, the Social Solidarity Economy Education Institute was established to foster education and talent development. The space where we are conducting this interview is called 'Saijae', which carries the meaning of bridging the spaces between people, society, and nature.

 

Q: How would you define the identity of South Korea's Social and Solidarity Economy?

 

📣A: Identity can be understood as the unchanging essence of existence. A prime example is the International Cooperative Alliance's definition of cooperative identity. Applying this to SSE, I define it as an economic sector positioned between the state and the market that does not operate solely for profit, but is managed democratically to address diverse social problems.

 

Q: Korea has long traditions of community mutual aid, such as Gye (mutual credit associations), Dure (collective farming labor), and Hyangyak (community compacts). How have these traditional customs been transplanted into modern Korean SSE?

 

📣A: A community can be defined as "a face-to-face group of people who feel comfortable with one another and meet routinely in recurring daily life" (Baker Brownell, 1950). Academically, a community typically refers to people within a geographic area who interact socially through shared agendas and mutual ties. Traditional practices like Gye and Dure were production and labor communities within agrarian society. Traces of these traditions still linger in a few rural areas. However, as Korean society rapidly industrialized, these traditional practices largely faded, with migrant workers now filling many of those agricultural roles. In some areas, such as Jeju Island, remnants exist as specialized crop cooperatives, and some villages still maintain 'Daedonggye' to manage funerals, weddings, and village cleanups together.

 

While modern cooperatives share foundational principles with traditional practices like Gye, Dure, and Hyangyak, we must be careful with direct connections. While one could argue that historical context informs our cultural background, I do not believe traditional customs were directly passed down in their original form to define modern Korean SSE uniquely. This, of course, is my personal perspective.

 

👉The interview continues in Part 2.

 

Do you have questions for Executive Director Minsoo Kang?❔❓

We value your thoughts. If you have questions for Minsoo Kang, please send them via email to [Email Address]. We will collect reader questions and follow up in an upcoming interview.