"Total of 2,559 Social Enterprises Operating in Korea... Nearly 50,000 Workers Employed"

Ministry of Employment Certifies 62 New Sites
Creating Diverse Social Values Including Jobs for Vulnerable Groups
"Field- and Demand-Centered Policy Support"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] With 62 social enterprises newly certified by the government, a total of 2,559 social enterprises are now active. The total number of workers employed by social enterprises reaches 50,000.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 12th that 62 organizations were newly certified as social enterprises. This year, social enterprise certifications were conducted in three rounds: 46 in the first round, 74 in the second, and 62 in the third. As a result, a total of 2,559 social enterprises are currently operating, employing 49,281 workers.

Among the newly certified enterprises, many create social value in various fields such as supporting market access for social economy enterprises, improving literacy rates for the visually impaired, creating jobs for vulnerable groups including the elderly, and spreading the value of fair films through theaters for all.

'Gangwon Gotgan Social Cooperative' supports the market access of products produced by social economy enterprises in Gangwon Province. It operates an online shopping mall called 'Gangwon Gotgan' and 17 permanent stores. Through online shopping mall education and marketing support for social economy enterprises, it helps revitalize the local social economy.

Tactile Braille Doll and Number Playbook from Damsimpo

The corporation 'Damsimpo' supports the improvement of reading and comprehension abilities of the visually impaired. It develops and distributes customized braille tactile content for visually impaired children, for whom acquiring braille and tactile development are important. It also supports the economic independence of career-interrupted women by operating braille tactile book instructor training courses.

'Cheongmaek Apparel' based in Daejeon provides stable jobs for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and marriage immigrants. It produces school uniforms and work uniforms, and recently has contributed to preventing the spread of COVID-19 by manufacturing and selling protective clothing.

Cheongmaek Apparel's Workspace

'Theater for All Fair Film Cooperative' screens various films for residents in areas without cinemas and audiences who cannot find desired films in nearby theaters. It has established and operates a film distribution platform called 'Popup Cinema' and contributes to creating a fair film culture ecosystem by rationally improving the revenue structure for film producers and distributors.

Kwon Ki-seop, Director of Employment Policy at the Ministry of Employment and Labor, stated, "We will expand infrastructure and strengthen detailed policy support centered on the field and demand to help social enterprises grow to the next level." He added, "Through the Buy Social campaign to realize social value in everyday life, we plan to actively support social economy enterprises."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.