(c) g;ru

Q. What was the main reason you became interested in fair trade?
I originally worked at an NGO called Korean Women’s Environmental Network (KWEN). From the job, I learned that the issue of poverty cannot be separated from issues that revolve around women. I studied microcredit, fair trade, solar power generation and so many more topics from various aspects to find a way to actually solve the problems. In the end, I concluded that fair trade would be the answer. Fair trade offers real job opportunities to women. At that time, more than 70% of the workers engaged with fair trade were women. I was strongly convinced that this was what I should be working on.

Q. How did you actually create the Fair Trade brand? What did you do?
I had no clue what I should do first, so I went to Japan! I visited fair trade companies, People Tree and Nepali Bazaro, to get some advice. This was really a nice opportunity; they’ve supported me very well and pushed me forward. To create a company, you need funds as well as people’s support. I looked for capitalists and was able to gather forty-seven people, including me.

Q. Forty-seven people! Who were these people giving financial support?
People who were interested in environmental and poverty issues. But not everyone had the right knowledge about fair trade. I held study groups with them, so that together they could learn more about fair trade. It is really important that your supporters understand fair trade well if you are doing fair trade business. Therefore, other than study groups, I organized a tour to take my supporters to the production points in Nepal, India, Vietnam and Thailand.

Q. What were the hardships you faced?
In 2007, when I started the business, only a few knew about fair trade. So even finding forty-seven supporters was a hardship. People’s understanding and kind support is indispensable when you start up a business. Thanks to all who offered me support, even though it’s a small company, I managed to open up Fair Trade Korea and G:ru, Korea’s first fair trade brand.

(c) g:ru

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Q. How is the fair trade scene in Korea?
Compared to when I started the business, it’s known better. When fair trade chocolates are introduced on TV and in magazines during the Valentine’s Day season, the public is very attracted to them. Keeping people’s attention that we got from this kind of opportunity is what we must work on.

On the other hand, it is good that the idea of well-being is gradually gaining popularity in Korea. The term is understood as something like “LOHAS” here in Korea; eat organic food, choose eco-friendly items, stay healthy and be happy. So thanks to that, more and more people are interested in a fair trade “diet”.

But in the fashion aspect, I think we could do more. There are a few people who are interested in fair trade fashion; however, fast fashion is still a big movement here. I believe Korean’s point of view toward fashion will change into something more ethical. In Korea, carrying handbags of haute-couture houses shows sophistication and good taste. I’m very interested to see how this will change.

Q. Please tell me more about what the Korean government does to support social enterprise.
The city of Seoul is especially supportive. My company is supported by subsidy from the city of Seoul. It is used to pay our new employees. This helps me and any other social entrepreneurs to have more people involved in the business as employees and offers more chances for anyone who wants to work in this sector.

What is great is that Mr. Won Soon Park, the mayor of Seoul, has been actively working on social business. He is a founder of the NPO called “Beautiful Store” which started as a second hand shop with products donated by citizens and now has 126 shops throughout Korea. One of the businesses they do currently is “Beautiful Coffee” which is a fair trade coffee business. He is very ethical activist.

Furthermore, at this year’s World Fair Trade Day, on 12th May, Seoul announced that it has become “Fair Trade City”. Isn’t it exciting? From now on, we’ll have many kinds of fair trade items in public spaces like city halls. Seoul will develop as one of the few fair trade cities in the world. Please keep your eyes on Seoul!