[Interview] Moon Seok-jin, Seodaemun-gu Mayor: "Creating a New Daily Life for Citizens through Social Economy"

Support for Enacting Three Social Economy Laws Integrating Korean New Deal and Social Economy... Fulfilling Role for Inclusive Society Implementation

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] “To practically overcome the crises we face, such as polarization, climate change, and the spread of infectious diseases, social economy must be more actively introduced and expanded in various policies of local governments.”

Moon Seok-jin, mayor of Seodaemun-gu and chairman of the ‘National Social Solidarity Economy Local Government Council,’ emphasized this in an interview with this publication, stating, “The UN Social Solidarity Economy Task Force also analyzed that ‘social solidarity economy is the best strategy to improve the quality of life of social members and resolve socio-economic polarization amid the COVID-19 crisis.’”

The council is a local government cooperative body consisting of 48 cities, counties, and districts nationwide, launched in March 2013 with the goal of “realizing local communities centered on people and villages through a social economy of reciprocity and solidarity.”

After being elected as the new chairman at the regular general meeting in February this year, Mayor Moon recently held the inauguration ceremony of the new executive team and a policy forum at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry International Conference Hall. He stated, “In the council’s 5th term, we will aim for a leap in daily life through social economy.”

Mayor Moon emphasized, “Social economy must be a ‘people’s economy’ and a ‘warm economy’ that can be part of the daily lives of more citizens.” He mentioned, “We will focus on creating excellent cases that citizens can feel in various areas of their lives, supporting the scaling up of social economy organizations, and enhancing the policy capabilities of social economy in both public and private sectors.”

He also said, “We will integrate the Korean New Deal with social economy so that our society can overcome the COVID-19 crisis through social solidarity economy,” adding, “We will broaden the horizon of social economy and firmly root it in our daily lives.”

Mayor Moon has been active as a member of the council’s affiliated local governments since its founding, fostering a social economy startup ecosystem including the Seodaemun-gu Social Economy Village Autonomy Center and social venture incubation spaces at Gajwa Station and Sinchon Station, actively supporting early startup teams.

Based on the ‘Seodaemun-gu Social Economy Revitalization Support Ordinance’ enacted in 2015, continuous efforts in startup support have resulted in nurturing 106 startup teams in Seodaemun-gu, with 32 teams designated as preliminary social enterprises.

Such concrete achievements raise expectations for the council’s 5th term activities. As the new chairman, Mayor Moon presented three goals to the council’s member local governments.

First, to promote innovative public services and private cooperation projects in essential areas of citizens’ lives where the effects of social economy can be tangibly felt, using the social solidarity economy approach. The goal is to spread representative cases that have introduced social economy models in areas such as care, education, medical welfare, housing, waste management, and energy supply nationwide by linking them with the government’s Korean New Deal and carbon neutrality policies.

Second, to make every effort together with the National Assembly, related institutions, and social economy organizations to promptly enact the so-called three social economy laws: the Social Economy Basic Act, the Basic Act on Realization of Social Value by Public Institutions, and the Special Act on Promotion of Purchase and Market Expansion of Social Economy Enterprise Products.

Third, to strengthen the policy capabilities of local governments by proactively responding to expected policy changes after the enactment of these laws through the development of specific social economy policy programs.

Furthermore, Mayor Moon repeatedly emphasized “cooperation with social economy organizations,” stating, “We will jointly consider growth plans based on local assets and spread excellent cases by region, and create various opportunities so that competitive social economy organizations’ products and services can reach customers more closely.” He also said, “We will establish a foundation for social economy organizations to expand their activities not only domestically but also overseas.”

Regarding the choice of ‘Realization and Prospects of a Circular Economy’ as the first policy forum topic of the 5th council, he explained, “This reflects the will to practice circular economy, essential for achieving carbon neutrality, starting from local communities.” He added, “We will work with social economy organizations leading waste problem solutions, residents, and the government to seek effective measures suited to local realities.” Mayor Moon stressed, “The resilience of social solidarity economy, historically proven, can be demonstrated when a society mobilizes its capabilities and resources.” He concluded, “Local governments will play a pivotal role in realizing an inclusive society through social solidarity economy so that our people can overcome the COVID-19 crisis, restore daily life, and leap toward a better everyday life.”