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"In a Super-Aged Era, Housing Itself Is Care": A Look into 'Seobom House', an Integrated Residential Care Model

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Presentation on the Seobom House case study.(Photo by Milly)   South Korea’s aging speed is among the fastest in the entire world. Indeed, if you travel outside of Seoul and the metropolitan area, it is common to find streets completely devoid of people, with rural villages guarded mostly by elderly residents. The proportion of the aging population is so visually overwhelming that anyone can feel it in their daily lives.   Naturally, various care services have emerged to support the elderly. Meal care, emotional support, and healthcare are prime examples. I once accompanied a meal-care field trip for reporting purposes. On that day, we delivered freshly made, still-warm lunchboxes to elderly residents who could not easily prepare meals for themselves, engaging in brief, casual small talk to check on their well-being. Although the conversation was short, I learned that for lonely seniors, someone visiting to deliver a warm meal and check in brings immense emotional strength...
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South Korea Announces the 'Comprehensive Plan for the Development of the Social & Solidarity Economy’

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  The South Korean government has officially announced the Comprehensive Plan for the Development of the Social & Solidarity Economy. Since taking office, the current administration has included promoting the growth of the Social & Solidarity Economy (SSE) as one of its core national agenda items and has continuously sought ways to establish robust policies for its development. This ongoing effort culminated on June 30 with the unveiling of the comprehensive plan, introducing a wide array of policies designed to advance South Korea’s SSE ecosystem.   This post will explore the details of the comprehensive plan announced on June 30. Given the unique context of South Korea’s SSE ecosystem — which has achieved rapid growth primarily driven by proactive government support — there is immense anticipation regarding how this announcement will transform grassroots development. Furthermore, this initiative aligns closely with the shifting global landscape. Around the world,...
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The '2026 Co-op Day' Celebration, Filled with the Values of Win-Win and Solidarity

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Scenes from the 2026 Co-op Day Celebration.(Photo by Milly)   On July 2, 2026 — just a day after Social Enterprise Day on July 1 — the 2026 Co-op Day Celebration was held at COEX Magok. The event was held in accordance with Article 12 of the Framework Act on Cooperatives, which states, "To promote understanding of cooperatives and encourage cooperative activities, the first Saturday of July each year shall be designated as Cooperatives Day, and the week preceding Cooperatives Day shall be designated as Cooperatives Week." It brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, cooperative representatives, and grassroots practitioners.   South Korea's cooperatives have grown rapidly in quantity since the enactment of the Framework Act on Cooperatives. Recently, the sector has been striving for qualitative growth, preparing for the "Co-op 2.0" era.   Approximately 600 attendees fill the venue for the official ceremony.(Photo by M...
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Celebrating South Korea's Social Enterprises: 2026 Social Enterprise Day

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  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 ...
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