Inside Korea’s Social Impact

  In South Korea, the 9th Nationwide Local Elections will be held on June 3. As the election approaches, the atmosphere is already heating up as citizens prepare to elect local government leaders and council members.   As elections draw near, people vote based on their own beliefs. While each individual has different reasons for choosing a candidate, most voters — especially in local elections — cast their votes with their own communities in mind. (**In Korea, all citizens aged 18 and older are eligible to vote.)   The choice of who receives each vote ultimately shapes the direction of society. Even when candidates aim to solve the same problems, their approaches can differ significantly. In that sense, elections are a critical process that determines the possibilities for social change.   Elections Change More Than We Think   As in any country, elections play a crucial role in Korean society. They determine policy directions, influence the flow ...

  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 ...

  Since the current administration adopted the “promotion of the Social and Solidarity Economy” as a national policy agenda, what has the atmosphere in the field been like? Although I have not met everyone, based on what I have personally observed, the mood is neither one of unconditional welcome nor outright criticism. Expectations for the development of the Social and Solidarity Economy coexist with caution and concern.   ➡Related Articles Social and Solidarity Economy Adopted as a National Policy Agenda by South Korea’s Current Government (Part 1)   In fact, previous administrations had also adopted the activation of the Social and Solidarity Economy (Social Economy) as a national policy agenda. At that time, the Social and Solidarity Economy experienced significant quantitative growth. Various types of organizations — such as social enterprises, village enterprises, cooperatives, social ventures, and self-support enterprises — expanded, and they have played cert...