Interior minister to sign social economy pacts with Spain and Senegal

Interior Minister Yoon Ho-joong will visit New York from Thursday through Saturday to attend a high-level meeting on the social and solidarity economy co-hosted by the United Nations and Spain. During the trip, Yoon is scheduled to sign memorandums of understanding with the governments of Spain and Senegal.

The minister will join representatives from 14 countries at the gathering, which takes place during the UN General Assembly high-level week. As a founding member of the Group of Friends of Social and Solidarity Economy, South Korea plans to share its recent legislative achievements, including the enactment of the Framework Act on Social and Solidarity Economy and the establishment of a comprehensive implementation plan.

Yoon is set to hold bilateral talks with Yolanda Díaz Pérez, Spain's second deputy prime minister and minister of labor and social economy, to finalize a cooperation agreement. This follows a similar accord signed with Italy in June.

Later, the minister will meet Alioune Dione, Senegal's minister of microfinance and social and solidarity economy, to sign a separate MOU. Senegal enacted its own basic law in 2021 and established a dedicated government department for the field.

Beyond these bilateral agreements, Yoon will discuss expanding cooperation with Li Junhua, under-secretary-general of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

The itinerary also includes a meeting on Friday morning with Abraham Kim, chairman of the Korea Society.

"This visit will be an opportunity to share our institutional achievements, such as the enactment of the framework act and the formulation of a comprehensive plan, with the international community," Yoon said. He added that the government will continue to work closely with member countries of the friend group to ensure South Korea plays a leading role in global discussions on the social and solidarity economy.