Inside Korea’s Social Impact

  Cooperatives bring together diverse stakeholders — such as local residents, workers, and consumers — to collectively address shared needs and challenges. In South Korea, cooperatives have offered practical alternatives in areas where public interest and sustainability are essential, including job creation, local economic revitalization, care services, housing, and energy transition. Through principles of democratic governance and collective ownership, cooperatives connect economic activity with social value.   This article is the second installment of an interview with Lee Gi-dae, one of the most prominent cooperative experts in South Korea and Deputy Director of the Research Institute affiliated with CoopBiz Cooperative. In this part, we explore the role of cooperatives in addressing social challenges and the directions needed for their sustainable development. 😎 Read Part 1😊 The Rise of K-Cooperatives: An Interview with Expert Ki-dae Lee (Part 1) A photo of Lee Gi-...

Last December, a press conference was held to call for an end to plastic pollution. The banners used at the event were also made of paper.(Photo by Milly)    “What if I were the owner of the supermarket I go to every day?”   Imagine if the place you visit daily to buy groceries wasn’t just a store, but your own store. What if your choices about what to buy and where to shop could positively impact your community, the environment, and people’s lives?   This is the story of Consumer Cooperatives in Korea. Consumer cooperatives are non-profit organizations established under relevant laws to promote consumers’ autonomous, self-reliant, and self-governing cooperative activities, aiming to enhance members’ daily lives and contribute to public welfare and cultural development. Definition of Korean Consumer Cooperatives   Consumer cooperatives in Korea can be categorized into three main types: regional cooperatives, medical cooperatives, and university coope...

The scattered plastic waste emphasizes the urgent need for systematic changes in environmental and climate policies.(Photo by Milly)  On June 3, 2025, Lee Jae-myung was elected as the 21st President of South Korea. Throughout his campaign, he laid out a wide range of pledges to actively respond to the climate crisis. If implemented during his term, these policies could mark a major turning point in South Korea’s climate strategy. Unlike conventional approaches that focus on individual actions like recycling or reducing waste, President Lee's climate policies emphasize structural transformation—linking industry, economy, and governance. Here's an overview of some of his key climate commitments. Transitioning Industries for Carbon Neutrality President Lee has promised to strengthen the institutional foundation to meet South Korea’s 2030 greenhouse gas reduction targets, and to prepare a science-based roadmap for 2035 and beyond. One notable proposal is to evaluate carbon reductio...