NAFI

National Assembly Future Institute Hosts the 2nd Happiness Forum: "Advancing Toward a Happy Nation – Issues and Policy Directions"

Exploring research and studies for building a happy nation and proposing policy directions

On November 25 at 9:30 a.m., the National Assembly Future Institute, in collaboration with the National Happiness Policy Forum (a National Assembly research group), the offices of Members of the National Assembly Yoon Ho Jung and Kim Sun Min, the Gross National Happiness Forum, and the Korea Social Science Data Archive at Seoul National University, hosted a seminar titled “Advancing Toward a Happy Nation: Issues and Policy Directions” in the 2nd Seminar Room of the National Assembly Members’ Office Building.

The first part of the event included an opening ceremony and an award presentation. It began with an opening address by Park Myungkwang, Chair of the National Assembly Future Institute, followed by congratulatory remarks from Members of the National Assembly Yoon Ho Jung of the Democratic Party of Korea, Ahn Sang Hoon of the People Power Party, and Kim Sun Min of the Rebuilding Korea Party. The award ceremony that followed recognized the winners of the Happiness Research Paper Competition.

The second part of the seminar featured three presentations. Heo Jongho, Director of the Quality of Life Data Center at the National Assembly Future Institute, presented on “The State of Happiness and Quality of Life in Korea: Analysis of the 2024 National Future Perception and Values Survey Results.” He discussed the background and findings of the 2024 survey. Next, Professor Shin In Cheol of the University of Seoul delivered a presentation titled “Leave No One Behind: Socially Disadvantaged Groups and Happiness,” exploring prior research on happiness inequality and examining the relationship between social quality and happiness. Lastly, Jung Hae Sik, President of the Korea Development Institute for Self-Sufficiency and Welfare, gave a presentation on “Policy Directions for a Happy Nation,” exploring methods for designing policies aimed at enhancing national happiness.

During the subsequent discussion session, Professor Han Joon of Yonsei University served as the moderator. The panelists were Professor Kim Ji Won of Hankyong National University, Lee Jae Kyung, Director of the Korea Gross National Happiness Policy Research Institute, Lee Man Woo, Senior Officer for Social and Cultural Affairs at the National Assembly Research Service, and Lee Hee Gil, Head of the Andong Office at the Dongbuk Regional Statistics Office. The panel engaged in discussions on the presentations.