우리나라 협동조합의 활성화를 위한 제언: 법제도를 중심으로

Abstract

This article looks at ways to revitalize cooperatives in Korea by focusing on the legal system. Today, more than 10 years have passed since the enforcement of the Framework Act on Cooperatives in 2012, but in Korea, where only joint-stock companies and the capitalist market economy dominate, misunderstandings and prejudices about why cooperatives and the social economy are necessary are still deeply rooted. Additionally, compared to Europe, Korea does not have a deep awareness of the superiority of the solidaristic market economy. So, I believe that philosophy, history, and education should first be emphasized in cooperative research and cooperatives themselves. Then, I set out the legal basis for the excellence of cooperatives. Plus, I looked at major measures to revitalize cooperatives in terms of Public interest, Mutuality, and Independence as follows: (1) In response to recent global challenges (e.g. climate change, polarization and human alienation, aging and regional extinction), the new Co-operative Act will enable new types of co-operatives to enable co-operative business to pursue the public interest as a ‘third way’. (2) In order to achieve mutuality and coexistence among members, cooperatives must have good mutual aid projects, and in particular, cooperation between cooperatives must be guaranteed through the Cooperative Federation so that cooperatives can double the public interest. (3) For independence, cooperative-tailored legislation, capital procurement, taxation, accounting standards, evaluation standards, governance, etc. are required to revitalize cooperatives. According to Aristotle, “equals should be treated equally and unequals unequally.” Ultimately, cooperatives are something unique and special.