The ‘social economy’ refers to the sector of an economy that includes organizations like cooperatives, nonprofits, and charities and there was recently a big event on the island to promote its importance. Lee Hee-jung joins me in the studio for more.

To deal with the income polarization caused by income inequality… Jeju has announced it will adopt adopt social economy as a new paradigm for regional development.

SYNC
Won Heeryong / Jeju governor
The provincial government and council have already drafted a social economy ordinance and created a committee. In the future, we will work towards connecting Jeju’s social economic support center with the central government, and provide consultation services catered to each step of human resource development.
<싱크 : 원희룡 / 제주특별자치도지사>
"이미 제주도와 제주도의회는 (사회적경제) 기본 조례도 만들고, 기본 위원회도 만들었습니다. 앞으로 사회적경제지원센터를 정부의 지원과
-----수퍼체인지-----
연결시키는 부분도 하고 인력도 키우고 성장단계에 맞는 컨설팅이나 자문을 (제주도에서) 해주면서…."

The basic idea is to create a shift from the current money-centered capitalistic economy… to a human-centered social economy.

[camera]
Kim Seung-cheol, Park Byeong-joon

And to promote this as well as local social economy enterprises, a festival was held on Friday (Sep.11) and Saturday (Sep.12) in Tapdong.

Residents who took part in the Social Economy Festival visited booths set up by different social economy enterprises, and enjoyed hands-on events made to help familiarize them with the concept of a social economy.

[INTERVIEW]
Hyeon Miriye / Namwon-eup, Seogwipo
I was unfamiliar with the term ‘social economy’ at first but after coming here, I learned what social economy enterprises do and I had a good time.
<인터뷰 : 현미리예 / 서귀포시 남원읍>
"사회적경제라는 개념이 평소에 생소했는데 이곳에 와보니까
많은 기업들이 있고 무슨 일을 하는지 알 수 있었던 좋은 시간이 됐습니다."

Some 50 social economy enterprises participated in the festival, and said they will work to create a social economy network through dialogue with local residents.

[INTERVIEW]
Kang Soon-won / Director, Jeju Social Economy Network
The private and public sectors joined forces last year to promote social economy enterprises. I hope this festival brings people closer to these enterprises...
<인터뷰 : 강순원 / 제주사회적경제 네트워크 상임대표>
"작년부터 제주사회적경제 시범 도조성사업을 역점적으로 민·관이 하고
있는데 이런 행사를 통해 도민과 사회적경제 기업들이 만나는 자리가 됐으면….

A society where people co-exist… and an economy that revolves around the people.
We look forward to seeing how this new paradigm will shape Jeju’s economy in the future.