Inside Korea’s Social Impact

  The 2026 Social Enterprise Day event venue filled with participants. (Photo: Courtesy of an event participant) On July 1, the 2026 Social Enterprise Day commemorative event was held in Gangnam, Seoul. The event is organized annually to recognize and celebrate the role of social enterprises that work tirelessly to create social value across Korean society.   This year's event was held under the slogan, "Connecting Values Together, Opening Tomorrow Together," and featured a variety of programs. Awards were presented to social enterprises that have made outstanding contributions to creating jobs, building stronger local communities, and generating social value, as well as to organizations and individuals that have supported the growth of South Korea's social enterprise ecosystem. Participants applauded the winners in recognition of their dedication and achievements.   Beyond the official ceremony, the event also included networking sessions and academic forums ...

  Editor’s Note🖍🖉   In Parts 1 and 2, we shared anonymous interviews with young professionals working in the social impact sector. The practitioners who participated laid bare the raw, unfiltered hardships they face. They cautiously opened up about the diverse challenges they encounter, particularly regarding job stability and working conditions.   <Related Posts> Inside the Minds of Young Social Impact Workers (Part 1): "Why Did You Enter the Social Impact Sector?“   Inside the Minds of Young Social Impact Workers (Part 2): "The Field Must Change for Youth to Come" This post marks the final installment of our anonymous interview series. In today’s article, they share their honest thoughts on why they choose to stay in the social impact sector despite these difficulties, and what steps are truly necessary to attract more young talent to the ecosystem in the future.   To protect their privacy, only their nicknames and ages are listed. Our ...

Editor’s Note 🖍🖉   Not long ago, I had a conversation with an acquaintance. We remarked, "If someone asks who is currently working in the social impact sector, there used to be so many people, but now it feels like there are only a few left." "There used to be many, but they must have all moved on to other industries." Just a few years ago, there was a relatively large presence of young people in the social impact field. Now, however, it is difficult to find them — as if they have all migrated to other sectors.   This is precisely why creating an environment where young people actually want to work is crucial. While attracting new talent is important, it is equally vital to retain the young professionals who are already in the sector so that they can protect their places and continue their work without leaving.   This post is the second part of our anonymous interview series featuring young professionals working in the social impact sector. The series ...