The Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI) hosted an international seminar on 'Social Enterprise and Revitalization of Rural Communities' on November 3 at the institute's conference hall. Eum Hyung-Sik, a researcher at the Centre for Social Economy (University of Liege, Belgium), was the first keynote speaker. In his presentation on social enterprise and revitalization of rural regions in Europe, Eum stressed that, in view of the lessons learned from the European experience, social enterprises should focus on reviving the social economy and the ecology, rather than taking up an individualistic approach. Professor Masanari Sakurai of Japan's Ritsumeikan University introduced different types of social welfare corporations in Japan and suggested how the corporations can help revitalize rural regions in Japan. KREI researcher Lee Gyu-Cheon also presented ways of revitalizing rural regions based on a survey of social enterprises in Korea. 

   Discussions were held presided by Professor Lee In-Jae of Hanshin University, and the panelists participating in the discussions were senior KREI researcher Kim Tae-Gon, O Hyun-Seok, CEO of Terrami Co. Ltd., Yu Jeong-Gyu, director of Korea Regional Development Foundation, Lee Eun-Ae, director of Seed:S Corporation, Ha Jae-Chan, team leader of Chungbuk Social Enterprise Support Center, and Hwang Bo-Guk, section chief at the Ministry of Employment and Labor.