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The National Assembly Futures Institute publishes reports that predict and analyze the changes in the future environment based on a comprehensive perspective, and derive mid- to long-term national development strategies in consideration of the preferences of the citizens
Future Vision 2037: Transition from Growth-Oriented to Matured Society

Date : 2021-12-23 item : Future Vision 2037 P.I : NAFI

Future Vision 2037: Transition from Growth-Oriented to Matured Society

Korea was able to modernize at an unprecedented pace, yet the growth of the nation came with social issues that harm individuals and the society, including division and conflict, injustice and polarization, and hostility and confrontation. Against this backdrop, the National Mid- to Long-term Agenda Committee proposed “A Mature Society” as a national vision. This vision is based on the pluralistic view of the society. Instead of sacrificing the society and individuals to realize the development goals of the country, all citizens and leaders should be on equal levels and plan the future of the community together. Moreover, people should be able to lead their individual lives, at their own pace.

For the transition of the Korean society, the National Mid- to Long-term Agenda Committee proposed “Transition from a Growing Society to a Mature Society” as a national vision. The ultimate values of the vision are: “A society that develops based on autonomy and decentralization, led by the country”; “Transitioning from focusing on economic growth to focusing on pluralistic values”; and “Warm community that prioritizes socially vulnerable groups.” To realize the visions and values, the committee proposed 12 mid- to long-term agendas under four core goals of “Empowering individual capabilities and quality of life,” “Community that lives together,” “Paradigm shift and sustainable growth,” and “Global conflict resolutions and cooperation.”

By realizing the vision and agenda of a mature society, the various life values and lifestyles of individuals will all be respected. Everyone will be recognized as a proud democratic citizen, and will be able to create social relationships. It will be possible for the society to expand the scope of social dialog with a sense of solidarity and various communities while reducing inequalities and social gaps. With the “coexistence” of scientific technology, the environment, and man, as well as a paradigm shift for qualitative growth, the country will be able to develop new innovative engines. By restoring trust, politics will create social integration. As a new powerhouse, Korea will be able to establish its own international order while securing balanced diplomacy, and ultimately strengthening the country’s position in the world.

Instead of a top-down approach, Future Vision 2037 focuses on the citizens and proposes a “joint promise” between the government and the citizens for the next 15 years as it reflects on the past and present, and develops the outlook for the future. For everyone to keep this promise, political leaders from political parties and administrative departments, social leaders from the labor and management sectors, as well as from the community, and citizen leaders from all classes, ages, gender, and professions must come together for discussion. Discussion items that were agreed upon should be used to develop related legislation and systems, and implement policies. A sustainable management system should also be established so that the agreed-upon items can progress as implementation strategies across all individual, local, and national levels.

The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea is a place for resolving disputes and challenging the discourse between different political views, values, beliefs, and interests, as well as a place to discuss and conciliate various opinions and interests within the society. Although it may take a long time, the National Assembly can create “long-lasting change.” An important role of the National Assembly is to bring together individual rights and the role of the country with politics. The active role of the National Assembly is critical for guiding the transition from a growing society to a mature society. In order to have a long-term perspective on the national mid- to long-term agenda and consistently recommend possible directions, there should be discussions on the new roles of the National Assembly to set future agenda and plan state affairs.

※ This research was conducted with the National Mid- to Long-term Agenda Committee, an advisory body of the Chairman of the National Assembly, as part of the “Management of the National Mid- to Long-term Agenda Committee” task, a core research project of the National Assembly Futures Institute in 2021.