Inside Korea’s Social Impact

  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...

  Among South Korea’s 123 national policy agendas under the current administration, one particularly notable inclusion is the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE). The government adopted “Promoting the Growth of the Social and Solidarity Economy” as Agenda No. 81, which marks a significant shift compared to the previous administration, during which funding for the SSE sector was drastically reduced.   From my personal perspective, public support from the government is necessary to a certain extent when it comes to the Social and Solidarity Economy. This is because the SSE does not merely engage in “business,” but simultaneously pursues solutions to social problems. In doing so, it effectively takes on roles that would otherwise fall under the responsibility of the public sector.   For this reason, the inclusion of the Social and Solidarity Economy in the current government’s national policy agenda carries considerable meaning. It is not simply about being listed as...