In What Direction is the Korean Welfare State Heading ?

Abstract

In the past, when comparative welfare state research covered Korea, its characteristics were often explained as, first, economic growth has been seen as their top priority, and the development of their social security system has been delayed, scond, labor movements and left-wing forces that promote the development of the social security system have been suppressed under authoritarian regimes, and third, consequently, many of the roles of the social security system have been replaced by those within individual families. These points have often been emphasized as common characteristics of not only South Korea but also other Asian countries and regions, distinguished from welfare states in Western countries. What is important to note is that none of these three characteristics can be seen after more than 20 years since the late 1990s, when Korea is said to have started to become a welfare state. If so, can it be said that South Korea is converging to Western welfare states ? This paper will clarify that South Korea has followed a unique path rather than convergence and then examine the implications of South Korea’s experience for Asian countries.