South Korean groups demand swift passage of Social Solidarity Economy Basic Act

Social solidarity economy organizations are intensifying their calls for the swift passage of the Social Solidarity Economy Basic Act, urging the National Assembly to include it in the agenda for the plenary session scheduled for July 30. Representatives from various groups, including the Korea Social Solidarity Economy, the National Network for Social Economy Revitalization, the Social Finance Forum, and the National Association of Local Governments for Social Solidarity Economy, gathered outside the National Assembly to press their demands.

During a press conference, Yoo Yoo-mi, standing director of the National Residents Cooperative Federation's Uri Cooperative, emphasized the law's importance, stating, "The enactment of the Social Solidarity Economy Basic Act is finally adding a roof to the pillars that residents have built themselves." She highlighted the sector's role in addressing gaps in services like housing, financial support for vulnerable populations, and local economic circulation, areas often neglected by the market.

Despite the sector's contributions, entities such as social enterprises, village enterprises, and cooperatives have operated in a fragmented manner, with policies fluctuating based on government priorities. Proponents argue that a legal framework is essential to create a more cohesive and sustainable social solidarity economy ecosystem, enabling closer cooperation among diverse organizations.

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The enactment of the Social Solidarity Economy Basic Act is finally adding a roof to the pillars that residents have built themselves.

The journey of the Basic Act has been protracted since its initial proposal in 2014, cycling through multiple legislative sessions with repeated failures to pass. Although the current bill successfully navigated the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee in March and the Legislation and Judiciary Committee in April, it has been stalled for three months due to the People Power Party's opposition, preventing it from reaching the plenary session for a final vote. Organizations fear that continued delays will perpetuate a lack of legal grounds for establishing dedicated social solidarity economy bodies and budgets, leading to ongoing confusion and gaps in local initiatives.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party's Social Solidarity Economy Legislative Promotion Group and the National Social Economy Committee also held a press conference, appealing for the opposition's cooperation. Kim Young-bae, head of the Democratic Party's group, noted the UN's resolution encouraging member states to provide institutional support for the social solidarity economy, urging that the bill's passage on July 30 would mark a "historic stepping stone for solidarity and cooperation" after a 13-year wait.

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The UN has also adopted a resolution calling for the revitalization of the social solidarity economy and urging member states to provide institutional support. We must end the 13-year wait and pass the Social Solidarity Economy Basic Act in the plenary session on July 30, laying a historic stepping stone for solidarity and cooperation.