Inside South Korea’s Social Impact

Cooperatives redefine the meaning of our lives. Photo from the International Day of Cooperatives held last July.(Photo by Milly)  Cooperatives in Korea are more than just part of the social economy . They embody a philosophy — a search for how to live and work together.   The Rise of Cooperatives   Since the enactment of the Framework Act on Cooperatives in 2012 , more than 20,000 cooperatives have been established in Korea within just a decade. (As of 2022, the number reached 23,939.) This rapid growth reflects a growing awareness that the market-centered system alone cannot fully address the needs of local communities or solve complex social problems.   People First : The Core Principle   In a cooperative, members are the owners, and people — not profit — come first. Members are both consumers and producers, workers and decision-makers. Among the most important principles is participation. Even if it takes more time, cooperatives value collect...

The scattered plastic waste emphasizes the urgent need for systematic changes in environmental and climate policies.(Photo by Milly)  With the launch of the current South Korean administration, a wide range of policy pledges have been laid out to actively respond to the global climate crisis. If fully implemented, these policies could mark a major turning point in South Korea’s overarching climate strategy. Unlike conventional approaches that focus on individual actions like recycling or reducing waste, the administration's climate policies emphasize structural transformation—linking industry, economy, and national governance. Here is an overview of some of the key climate commitments shaping this new direction. Transitioning Industries for Carbon Neutrality The administration has promised to strengthen the institutional foundation to meet South Korea’s 2030 greenhouse gas reduction targets, while preparing a science-based roadmap for 2035 and beyond. One notable proposal is to eva...

  Cover page of the Democratic Party of Korea’s policy pledges for the 21st presidential election. (Source: Screenshot from the official pledge booklet) With the launch of the current administration, the concepts of a "basic society" and the revitalization of the social economy have been presented as one of South Korea’s core future strategic directions. This approach goes beyond merely supplementing the existing welfare system, emphasizing the potential of the social economy as a new societal paradigm that ensures all citizens can lead a life of dignity and stability. A basic society refers to a framework that does not stop at fragmentary welfare policies or simple income redistribution, but one that guarantees a basic and stable life for all citizens in a tangible way. The administration has repeatedly stressed the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration to drive this vision forward: "Realizing a basic society cannot be achieved by the government alone. It requir...