The village women cooperatives store: A case participatory research in a Korean village

Abstract

This case study focuses on the role of the women’s club in the development of the rural community of Bangchuk village, South Korea, as part of the Rural Development Laboratory Project of Seoul National University. The village was characterized by low income, lack of infrastructure, poor coordination, and internal conflicts. Although there was an established number of formal and informal community groups, most of them were inactive, and women’s involvement was limited. Through field survey research in 1975, the current study explored how the women’s club was organized and manifested its developmental role. Particular attention was paid to developmental issues such as cooperation activities, economic and educational aspects, family planning, and the mobilization of women’s participation in the club activities to promote the well-being of the community. The case study provides evidence of how the women’s club organization and collective action promoted community development. It also demonstrates the importance of both the researcher’s cooperation with the community and his/her participation in the development mobilization process to harness local human resources for the empowerment of the community. The women’s collective organization in Bangchuk village is considered an effective way to promote community development and improve the quality of life of its residents.