Inside Korea’s Social Impact

  In my previous posts, I discussed how the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) was adopted as a national policy agenda by the current government of South Korea and explored the reactions from the field. In that context, I mentioned that Korea is entering a period of preparation for “SSE 2.0.” In this article, I would like to reflect on what SSE 2.0 means and what direction it should take moving forward.   👉Related Articles Social and Solidarity Economy Adopted as a National Policy Agenda by South Korea’s Current Government (Part 1) How Is the Field Responding After ‘Social and Solidarity Economy’ Was Adopted as a National Policy Agenda? (Part 2)   From my perspective, the government’s decision to adopt the promotion of the Social and Solidarity Economy as a national agenda presents an opportunity for Korea’s SSE to take a new leap forward. It was in this context that I referred to the idea of “SSE 2.0.” Whether this expression will remain merely a policy slogan ...

  The realization of a Basic Society, one of the major policy directions in South Korea today, is being actively discussed as a way to respond more proactively to the various challenges facing our society.   👀Read Part 1 Revitalizing Korea’s Social and Solidarity Economy and Realizing a Basic Society (Part 1)   In the previous article, we emphasized that the government’s Basic Society policy is not a support measure designed specifically for the social and solidarity economy, but rather that the Basic Society and the social and solidarity economy exist in a complementary relationship. In this article, we explore the conditions under which Basic Society policies can function effectively in practice, as well as strategies for mutual growth between Basic Society policies and the social and solidarity economy.   😎Conditions for the Functioning of a Basic Society   A Basic Society operates on the following three institutional pillars:   Gua...

  South Korea is often described as a “rapidly developed country.” Compressed economic growth, digital transformation, a highly educated population, and strong state capacity are frequently used to characterize Korean society.   However, alongside this rapid development, South Korea now faces a range of complex social challenges: population aging, gaps in care services, regional decline, excessive concentration in the capital region, and the climate crisis. These issues have reached a point where they can no longer be effectively addressed by the market or the government alone. It is precisely at this moment that cooperatives and the social economy in South Korea are gaining renewed attention as important alternatives.   Drawing on the previously published interviews with Korean cooperative expert Lee Gi-dae, this article explores the context in which cooperatives have developed in South Korea and why they are being discussed today as a meaningful response to stru...

A chalkboard at a local social enterprise, reflecting their deep and ongoing struggle to craft survival strategies as part of the social economy.(Photo by Milly)  There are many different perspectives on social economy. Generally, it is sometimes seen as an actor competing in the market economy, while in other cases, it is considered an economic model rooted in local communities. Many of those who are actively involved in the social economy would probably say that it is fundamentally an economy based on local communities.   😍Why Does the Social Economy Value the Local?   One main reason the social economy places importance on the local is that it often begins as a response to local issues.   For instance, in the case of social economy enterprises that aim to solve environmental problems through business, instead of taking on the grand challenge of “saving the planet,” they start with a smaller, more realistic goal like “let’s circulate our community’s wa...

A scene from the 2024 Social Enterprise Day ceremony held last year. 'Dream With Ensemble,' an arts group composed of musicians with developmental disabilities, performed a celebratory piece. Dream With Ensemble is a social cooperative.(Photo by Milly)   Starting in July each year, Korea’s social economy becomes increasingly active with a range of events, forums, and expos. From the bustling summer months to the colorful autumn season, the sector is filled with opportunities for connection and collaboration. These gatherings serve as vibrant festivals where social economy stakeholders from Korea and abroad network, share insights, explore trends, and promote meaningful business partnerships. First Week of July: Social Economy Week   The Korean has designated July 1st as “Social Enterprise Day” to promote the work of social enterprises. Moreover, the period from July 1st to 6th is recognized as Social Economy Week, during which various programs and activities take place nat...