[Interview] Why South Korean Women Built Cooperatives (Part 1)
Haengbok Joongsim Co-op, which first opened its doors in 1989, closed down in 2024 after 35 years of history. As a consumer cooperative founded and led primarily by women — one that had vigorously driven diverse grassroots initiatives alongside the distribution of eco-friendly food — the news of its closure came as a profound shock to me. Looking back to 2024, when I first learned of its shutdown while reporting on the ground, I remember sitting at my desk in silence, completely stunned. Yet, the fact that a women-led cooperative was established, operated, and sustained for over three decades carries immense historical significance. The 35-year journey carved out by Haengbok Joongsim Co-op remains an indelible chapter in the history of the cooperative movement. This article captures an interview with Ahn In-sook, former President of the Haengbok Joongsim Federation of Consumer Cooperatives, who fought to sustain the organization until its final days. Believi...