The purpose of this study are to study the history of the welfare system for the aged in Korea and to suggest, the desirable direction of the welfare system for the aged.
In truth, the welfare system for the aged in our society had already existed fr...
The purpose of this study are to study the history of the welfare system for the aged in Korea and to suggest, the desirable direction of the welfare system for the aged.
In truth, the welfare system for the aged in our society had already existed from the human's appearance. But documentarily the welfare system had existed from the era of the Three Kingdoms, at that time the policy of welfare system for the aged had not practiced systematically. The historical records of welfare system for the aged in the Three Kingdoms is found in the Samgugsagi. In the era of Koryo Dynasty, the kings of many generations had legitimatized such systems as giving vacation to officials to take care of their parents, sijeong and chisa. In the era of Chosun Dynasty, the rulers had made the system of taking care of the aged as the bass of governing their country and had established political ruling order through it. There were welfare provisions for the aged by the government: Giroso, Rosikkwaza, Gibokhangong, Yangroyeon, Chisa, Girokwa and then, the welfare system for the aged in this period were more organized than other period, Three Kingdoms and Koryo Dynasty.
The welfare system for the aged during the Japanese Occupation had also existed, but its operation had been very affected. In the era of U. S. Army Military Government, as social welfare systems, Sanitation Bureau was established by U. S. Army Military Government Ordinance.
After the newly formed the Republic of Korea, the welfare systems for the aged are as follow: Section of Family Welfare belonging to Bureau of Family Welfare of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, which administered the welfare systems for the aged was newly established. And Welfare Law for the Aged, enacted in 1981, contributed to the living protection and health promotion, of the aged. And then the other related laws on welfare for the aged are Reduction of Penalty Act, Living Protection Law, The Military Service Law, Medical Insurance Law, The National Public Service Pension Law, Military Pension Law, A Private School Personnel's pension Law etc.
And in facilities there are Yangno-house, Administered boarding home for the aged, Nursing home for the aged, Welfare centers for the aged, Village halls for the aged and Welfare Schools for the aged. And in services, in order to enhance the respect-the-elder attitude, "mothers day" was established on May 8, 1956 and it was change to the name of "parents day" in 1973, Various kind of activities are conducted such as system of respect-the-old, enactment of charter of respect-the-old, rewards for dutiful sons and virtuous women, and counseling, health services and talent bank for the aged to improve their employment etc.