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...

  In Korea , every year as the weather gets colder, people prepare kimjang — the traditional practice of making large batches of kimchi to last through the year. Making kimchi requires plenty of ingredients such as napa cabbage , radish , and red chili powder . My family participates in this tradition as well, and I often help my parents during the preparation. When I asked where they got such fresh produce, I learned that it came from relatives and local farmers who grew high-quality ingredients. It’s a simple reminder that in Korea, people take their food seriously.   Even during my school days, meals were well-balanced with fresh vegetables and protein, and food was something we genuinely enjoyed. Today, the global popularity of K-Food is partly a reflection of Koreans’ dedication to quality and taste in everyday meals.   Koreans’ focus on healthy, high-quality food has also inspired social enterprises that combine local agriculture, environmental awareness, ...

  In the past, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that “the whole village raised the children” in Korea. In my own experience, when my parents went to work, neighbors looked after us. If a friend’s parents were away, we spent time at each other’s homes. Even during outings or picnics, several families would join together to care for the children.   However, as nuclear families became more common, this culture of communal childcare gradually disappeared. With more women participating in the workforce and an increasing number of single-person households , the responsibility for childcare became concentrated primarily on parents and immediate family. A shortage of childcare facilities, high costs, and concerns about quality added to the practical burden on families.   A New Model of Cooperative Childcare through Social Economy   Recently, social economy initiatives have begun addressing childcare challenges in a community-centered, participatory, and su...