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 collective decision-making and shared responsibility. In this sense, a cooperative can be seen as a small-scale space where democracy truly c...

A Story That Began with Personal Experience   About ten years ago, I worked with a colleague whose personality and work style matched mine so well that we stayed close friends even after leaving the job. We would often meet up, share meals, and talk about everyday life. But over time, our contact became less frequent, and eventually, I heard that this friend had moved back to their hometown.   Not long ago, I happened to reconnect with them. They told me: “I’m now working as a Local Creator in my hometown.”   They were deeply engaged in projects such as revitalizing the local economy, promoting the region, and addressing population decline. What Is a Local Creator?   The term “Local Creator” was unfamiliar to most people until just a few years ago, but now it is steadily gaining recognition.   👉 A Local Creator is someone who discovers and reimagines the unique resources and culture of a community, creating new value and innovative brands ...

  When I was a child, the air in Korea was much cleaner. Growing up in the countryside, taking a deep breath felt like a full-body cleanse. I spent days exploring insects in the rice fields with friends and flying paper airplanes and pinwheels.   As society developed, these experiences vanished. Today, on heavy fine dust days, wearing masks is a must. Without them, daily life is disrupted. One morning, I wondered, “When did wearing a mask become normal?” and thought, “Is this because of environmental pollution?”   My previous visit to a café revealed solar panels installed on the rooftop. Surprisingly, they added a unique touch to the building’s exterior.(Photo by Milly)  What is Energy Transition?   Energy transition is the shift from fossil fuels to sustainable energy systems. It expands renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydrogen while reducing greenhouse gas emissions to achieve carbon neutrality. This transformation affects not just ...

There used to be a cafe I visited often. It looked ordinary from the outside, and one corner sold simple snacks like dried fruits. I didn’t think there was anything special about it — until I started working for a media outlet covering social economy, and discovered that the cafe actually served “Beautiful Coffee”, a fair trade coffee brand.   That’s when I realized that many of the coffee, snacks, and even sugar I use in daily life are fair trade products. I thought, “Oh, I’ve been using fair trade products quite a lot without even realizing it.”   What Is Fair Trade? Fair trade is a system that helps producers in developing countries receive fair compensation and produce products sustainably. It doesn’t just guarantee prices; it also supports social value creation through education, healthcare, community development, and environmental protection.   In 2023, I had the chance to meet producers at a fair trade cooperative event. They told me, “Thanks to fair tr...