Inside Korea’s Social Impact

  “Every time one of our products is sold, a job is created for someone from a vulnerable group.”   When you spend time reporting on the social solidarity economy, you often meet founders whose eyes light up as they speak. They passionately explain how their products create positive change in the world. Their faces are filled with anticipation, excitement, and a deep sense of purpose.   But those conversations often end with the same bitter and frustrated question.   “If we’re doing something so meaningful for society, why don’t people open their wallets?”   Many impact-driven companies believe that their social mission is their strongest competitive advantage. But at some point, an uncomfortable truth has to be faced: sometimes, that very “good story” becomes a distraction from the core of the business — and can even turn into a poison that blocks revenue.   In this post, I want to talk about the paradox of “doing good.” It may feel unc...

[Editor’s Note] As a journalist who has covered social impact in South Korea for years, I’ve been asked the same questions again and again whenever I talk to people outside the impact sector. Based on my reporting experience, I’ve selected five of the questions I hear most often.   When I explain social solidarity economy or social innovation — what is often broadly referred to as the “social impact” sector — to people who are unfamiliar with it, the conversation almost always ends in similar questions. These come from close friends, casual acquaintances, and even people I meet through work.   These questions are not simply expressions of curiosity. They reveal how unfamiliar social impact still is to many people, and they point to the first obstacles people encounter when trying to understand this field. That’s why I want to organize these frequently asked questions from the perspective of those who are hearing about social impact for the first time.   👀Q1. ...

On December 3, 2024, South Korea was thrown into shock when then-President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law . Citizens gathered in front of the National Assembly , and young people working in the SSE sector ran to the scene. They assisted elected lawmakers so they could enter the building and fulfill their constitutional duties.   This article continues the story of the young activists of SE-ACT who acted on the front lines that night. *In this article, “ social and solidarity economy ” is used instead of the former term “ social economy .”   😍😙Read the article on the difference between the terms ‘Social Economy’ and ‘Social and Solidarity Economy’ The Shift in Terminology: From “Social Economy” to “Social Solidarity Economy” 😜😘Read Part 1 December 3: The Birth of SE-ACT Amid Korea’s Democratic Crisis (Part 1)     The flag of SE-ACT . (Source: SE-ACT) Why Does SE-ACT Act?   Over the past year, SE-ACT has issued multiple public statements w...

SE-ACT and the  social enterprise   Run Coffee  served 2,000 cups of free coffee to citizens attending the rallies in December 2024. (Source: SE-ACT)   For anyone living in South Korea , December 3, 2024 is a day that will not be forgotten. It was an ordinary evening — until unexpected breaking news shook the entire country. Then-President Yoon Suk-yeol abruptly declared martial law — a measure rarely seen in modern democratic nations. Many citizens felt confusion, shock, and fear.   The sudden presence of armored vehicles and armed soldiers in downtown Seoul intensified the collective panic. Some citizens rushed straight to the National Assembly . Young people working in the social and solidarity economy (formerly “ social economy ”) also knew they could not stay still.   One activist who ran to the site recalled: “There were already countless citizens gathered in front of the National Assembly. Police were blocking access, and people were tryin...