Lanterna Rally

Author: TaeJeong Park

Publisher:

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

South Korea is one of outstanding country that has made great success on economic growth. However, they have been faced on matter from unbalanced development. The reason why they have been encountered that problem goes way back to the 1950s. After Korean War in 1950s, South Korean government had started to focus on economic development; as if it could be the best method to escape urgent poverty and overcome social problem. While they ignored the imbalance between economic growth and sustainability, almost every resource was poured out superficial socio-economic development. Moreover, from 1960s to mid-1980s, they were under dictatorship and suffered undemocratic regime. People, who had been repressed under these circumstances, finally rose up against the regime in late 1980s, and then it helped them to become democratic. Nevertheless, inequalities, poverty gap and immature citizenship have remained unsolved. Being encountered with the financial crisis in mid 1990s, almost every social policy was insufficient in treating it. While South Korea has had great success in economic development, its social safety network was not well equipped to respond such a serious problem. This issue was also closely associated with the policy based on the growth-first ideology of government-led development, which was far from inclusive. Consequently, most communities are characterized by serious imbalances, which become major constraints on sustainable development. In these circumstances, the existing conglomerate-centered economic system that puts priority on growth is dimming after being hit by a bomb of low growth. They need of a new system, what is called as 'alternative development strategies.'' While they seek to create new system, 'village community' gets important initiatives about alternative way to promote sustainable development. Especially, because it is based on social economy, which lies in its stable management and continuous growth, thus attracting more attention in a low-growth era, it is regarded as method of promoting the rights and benefits of its members. Nowadays, 'village community' rapidly spreads over the whole country. This study explores case study of village community in Seoul in order to investigate the true meaning of urban community for sustainable development. In this context, the present paper has three objectives. First, features of 'village community' is analyzed, especially focus on socio-economic situation surrounding it. Second, it compares 'village community' with the social development, which seeks to harmonize social and economic processes for vulnerable populations. Finally, using case studies, I try to illustrate how 'village community' is initiated social change at local and community level and generated community development for better social services.