Inside Korea’s Social Impact

  Housing in South Korea comes in many forms, but among them, apartments are by far the most recognizable. I also grew up living in apartments, so when I think of "home," an apartment is still the first image that comes to mind.   Korean society once had a strong sense of community. However, as individualism has become more prevalent in recent decades, it has become increasingly common for people not to know who lives next door, even after years of living in the same building. I remember walking to school with neighborhood friends and watching my parents build close relationships with our neighbors. At some point, though, people stopped paying attention to who lived nearby or what was happening around them.   At the same time, rising housing prices have made homeownership increasingly difficult in South Korea. Housing is often viewed not only as a place to live but also as an investment asset, creating various social tensions.   WESTAY Byeolnae is a commu...

  I regularly network with people working in South Korea’s social impact sector and participate in several open chat groups where professionals connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas. I have been involved in these communities since my days as a journalist, so it has been quite a long time.   A wide range of issues are discussed in these groups, but one topic has been appearing more frequently than almost any other in recent years: care.   By now, many people around the world are aware that South Korea is aging rapidly. At the end of 2024, the country officially entered the category of a “super-aged society,” with more than 20% of its population aged 65 or older. Care is no longer a niche issue discussed only by experts — it has become a topic of national concern.   In this article, I would like to explore the relationship between care and the role of social impact organizations.   🌴Good Care Requires the Cooperation of Many People   A...