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-...

  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 ...

One of the main reasons the social economy has grown so rapidly in South Korea is because it was driven by government initiatives. Social economy enterprises pursue values while also competing in the general market economy. Without government support, rapid growth is difficult. Recognizing this, the Korean government has continued to provide various forms of support to ensure that the social economy can operate and grow sustainably.   Ironically, however, South Korea still does not have a Framework Act on the Social Economy.   In South Korea, discussions on enacting a Basic Law for the Social Economy have been ongoing for years.(Photo by Milly)  What Is Included in the Framework Act on the Social Economy?   The Framework Act on the Social Economy includes essential legal foundations aimed at promoting the social economy. The currently proposed bills include key provisions such as: 👉 Establishing a basic development plan for the social economy 👉Conductin...

Ongoing discussions on adopting the term 'Social Solidarity Economy'. This photo was taken earlier this year at a local event explaining the shift in terminology.(Photo by Milly)  In South Korea, the term “social economy” has been widely used for many years. However, in recent times, there has been an active movement to replace this commonly used term with “social solidarity economy,” and this change is gradually taking root in the field.   Why change the name to “social solidarity economy”?   This shift in terminology stems from a desire to broaden the scope of meaning embedded in the words themselves. Traditionally, the term “social economy” referred to economic systems that create social value   primarily including social enterprises, cooperatives, village enterprises, self-support businesses, and social ventures. Because of this, its role was often perceived as somewhat limited.   In particular, Korea’s social economy has largely developed under ...

 As Korea’s social economy has grown rapidly, its role in broader society has also expanded. This article explores how social economy enterprises have been established under government-led policies and what recent developments are shaping the sector. 1. Government Support as a Foundation for Rapid Growth In Korea, government-led policies enabled the swift establishment of social economy organizations. Financial and institutional support for sustainable startups helped various organizations minimize risks and successfully pursue their social missions. This support became a solid foundation for the rapid expansion of social economy enterprises. One of the key systems is government certification for organizations that meet certain standards. Regardless of size, businesses such as social enterprises, cooperatives, community enterprises, self-sufficiency enterprises, and social ventures can be officially recognized as “social economy enterprises.” This certification provided a level of ...