 | Social Policy Dynamics in South Korea Subjects: Area Studies; Politics & International Relations; Asian Politics; Comparative Politics; Asian Studies; Regulatory Policy; Korean Studies; Social Policy; Health Policy; Kim offers unique insight into the deeper political dynamics of Korean social policy by analysing the relationship between the broader context of East Asian commonality and the unique circumstances of Korea. Since the 1980s, South Korea has advanced social policy at a rapid pace with the progress of political democracy and the activation of civil society. Currently, South Korea is equipped with a full range of social policies including public assistance, social insurance, and social services. However, South Korea's road to a remarkable social policy accomplishment was not a smooth one and controversies sizzled over the values, directions, and methods of social policy. Kim delves into the political dynamics of Korea's social policy, spanning from the traditional kingdom era to contemporary South Korea. In doing so he examines the influences of Confucianism, developmental welfareism, and the responses to the Asian economic crisis in shaping these policies. An important resource not only for scholars and students of Korean society and social policy, but also for scholars of social policy more broadly, especially those with a focus on other East Asian countries. Soon-Yang Kim is professor of public and social policies at Yeungnam University, Korea. He has been an editor-in-chief of the Korean Public Administration Journal and the Dean of the Graduate School of Public Administration at Yeungnam University. He holds two PhD degrees: one from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE, Social Policy), UK and the other from Seoul National University (SNU, Public Policy and Administration), Korea. His main research interests are in social policy, policy theories, welfare administration, and public bureaucracy. He has published more than 170 journal articles and several books (including 3 award-winning books from the National Academy of Sciences, Republic of Korea, and two English books). |
