본문 바로가기
  • Home

Current Issues Regarding Social Service Policies in Korea

  • Korean Society and Public Administration
  • Abbr : KSPA
  • 2013, 24(1), pp.111-136
  • Publisher : Seoul Association For Public Administration
  • Research Area : Social Science > Public Administration

Kim, Eunjeong 1

1계명대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This study aims to review current trends in social service policies, and to interpret the meaning of changes and new policy directions. In recent years, the framework of social service polices in Korea has seen dramatic changes, and there have also been rapid increases in public spending in this area. To explicate the major issues and critical policy questions, this study reviews the historical evolution of social services, before examining the recent expansion of the concept. Historical review suggests that the direction of social service policy has changed in three major ways, as follows. First, the allocation criteria have changed from being means-tested to the amount of need, which has resulted in an increase in the number of service recipients. Second, the amount of finance provided to service users has increased, and the ways of providing public finance have diversified. Third, the number of for-profit organizations providing services has increased, meaning that the characteristics of social service providers are diverse. These trends have produced complicated and complex issues in the field of social services, because the changes have not been deliberately designed in the social service policy framework, and have occurred over a short period of time. Based on the findings, this study suggests that universalization in the selection of service recipients should be supplemented by considering the needs of vulnerable groups. Also, the current tendency to use the individual as the unit of social services should be complemented by including the community-based approach. Furthermore, the fragmented service provision lines should be redesigned to integrate the diverse range of social services now provided.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.