Plumber Turns 20 Years of Expertise into Social Enterprise in Incheon

"No water leaks—that's the answer. Getting that answer exactly right is what builds trust."

These are the words of Yook Kwang-soo, 53, head of Yuho, a preliminary social enterprise. Yook has worked on heating and cooling installation sites since 2007. The reason this plumber with 20 years of experience transformed into a preliminary social entrepreneur was simple. He felt the greatest satisfaction when someone smiled.

Through a decade of volunteer work, he came to one realization: there are clear limits to what an individual can do. He judged that converting to a social enterprise, rather than generating profit as an individual and continuing volunteer work, would allow him to contribute to society in more diverse ways, such as supporting vulnerable groups and creating jobs.

◆ The Day Groundwater Burst Through, He Did Not Give Up

Asked about the most memorable site, Yook recalled a leak site. He dug up the expected location, but instead even more water poured out. Inspecting the entire building, he could not find the cause. The result of requesting an inspection from the water authority was unexpected. "It's groundwater."

It was a situation in which groundwater was rising from beneath the building. When water suddenly burst out during drainage work, he said his heart felt as if it had stopped for a moment. But in the end, he solved the problem. "It was an experience of finding and solving an unexpected cause, so it left the strongest impression."

As such field experiences accumulated, Yook came to see hidden problems in the local community. When you visit the semi-basements of old villas where vulnerable groups live, the moisture problem is truly serious. He built up know-how by trying various methods, but it was beyond what he could handle alone. He felt that a company specializing in solving this problem was needed.

◆ Why It Prioritizes Hiring Those Aged 55 and Older and North Korean Defectors

Given the nature of the work, Yuho also operates with day laborers. Its hiring criteria are unusual. The company gives priority to diligent people among those aged 55 and older or North Korean defectors.

"What matters more than age is self-management. Among people in their 50s and 60s, those who manage themselves consistently are very energetic and have strong willpower."

Fixing a single pipe can change someone's life. A technician who has stayed on the field for 20 years now seeks to share that experience—along with a promise to help with technology and give back with jobs.

Yook predicted that when conditions are met, conversion to regular employment will naturally follow. He dreams of systematically organizing his 20 years of experience and expanding it into technical training, building an organization that grows together.

He added that for social economy enterprises to grow, the interest of relevant figures who lead the region, such as district mayors and council members, is important. If such interest and support are backed up, social economy enterprises can also grow more stably within the region, he said.

He encouraged young people to actively explore the social economy field. "Social enterprises have accumulated many precedents as well. Rather than pioneering everything from the start, referring to the experiences of seniors and starting from there is also a good approach."