In South Korea, there are not many days with clear skies. Therefore, long-term greenhouse gas reduction targets are highly anticipated.(Photo by Milly)    On November 11, 2025, the Korean government officially announced its plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 53 – 61% compared to 2018 levels by 2035. This is not just another environmental policy — it signals a comprehensive transformation of Korea’s industrial, energy, and social structures.   However, such a massive transition cannot be achieved through government policy alone. That’s why the role of the social economy and social innovation is becoming increasingly important.   Why Social Economy and Social Innovation Are Connected   Responding to the climate crisis requires more than technological innovation — such as improving power generation efficiency or industrial processes. It cannot be solved by the actions of a few companies alone. We need changes in consumption and lifestyle, active...

  Over the past half-century, Korea has achieved remarkable economic growth. Yet behind this success lie a number of emerging challenges — inequality, environmental degradation, rural decline, and the growing issues of low birthrate and an aging population.   These problems are too complex to be solved by the government or large corporations alone. As awareness of this reality spread, new groups of people began to explore innovative ways to address social problems. They are the social innovators .   Social Economy vs. Social Ventures   Korea’s social economy can be broadly categorized into five types: cooperatives , village enterprises , social enterprises , self-sufficiency enterprises , and social ventures. These organizations all pursue both profit and purpose — creating social value through business activities.   Among them, social ventures stand out. Unlike traditional social economy organizations such as cooperatives or village enterprise...

Many young people today are interested in value-driven consumption. (photo by Milly)   During my time as a journalist, I had several opportunities to meet and talk with today’s youth, often referred to as the MZ generation (college students). Most conversations revolved around their interest in social values .   What I noticed was that young people are more concerned with social values than I had expected. While not every individual behaves this way, in general, youth don’t just buy products because they are cheap or aesthetically pleasing. Instead, they consider the values and philosophy behind a brand, as well as the meaning their purchase carries.   👉Consumption as a Language of Personal Values   Young people who own pets are concerned about animal welfare . Those who are disabled or have disabled friends are attentive to disability-related issues. Residents of specific regions care about regional decline and depopulation.   In other words, ...