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Video Description

Type: KIHASA Research Introduction Series

Topic: Our Research: Local Social Security Research

Speaker: Ham Young Jin, Research Fellow, KIHASA

Script

Greetings!

My name is Ham Young-jin, and I’m working at the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs.

We are living in an era that promotes balanced development for localities. Living in a provincial area, not in Seoul or the Capital area, should not involve any particular inconveniences. Wherever you live in Korea, you should have access to equal opportunities, and your home address shouldn’t be the reason for discrimination against your rights as a citizen. In short, where you live should not affect your ability to enjoy the basic amenities of life that should be universally available.

However, what do the press and big data tell us about the major welfare issues of local societies?

Phrases like ‘Republic of the Capital’ or ‘the Extinction of Localities’ are heard here and there, and some young people say that being born in Seoul itself is a ‘spec,’ while others make self-deprecating jokes about how living outside the capital can cost you money even to dream. In Seoul, a hospital may be as close as 2km from where you live, whereas people in non-capital areas may have to travel as far as 22km to access the equivalent medical facility. The reality is that there is a widening gap between life in the capital area and life in other parts of the country.

Recognizing these disparities, the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs places a high priority on researching solutions to address local issues.

To get an idea of KIHASA’s research in the field of local welfare, we can look at the main keywords used in its research reports and journals. These sources show that KIHASA has conducted research on local populations, research on local governments’ health and welfare service delivery systems, and analysis and evaluation of local social security programs. In addition, KIHASA has conducted research to assist local governments in formulating their basic plans.

Let me give you a more specific introduction:

First, our research on local populations. We analyze policy implementation plans, with a particular emphasis on the Basic Plans for Low-Fertility and Aging Society, and study population strategies to adapt our country to an ultra-aged society in the future. In addition, we analyze the structural causes of interregional population imbalances and the causes of population fluctuations resulting from social population movements. Through this research, we aim to identify policy alternatives to respond to local extinction.

Second, we conduct research on the delivery system of welfare benefits. We conduct policy studies to strengthen and innovate the local welfare delivery system, including research on strategies to efficiently deliver quality public services to local residents, research on structural reorganization of the local welfare delivery system, and research on ways to enhance public-private partnership.

Third, we study the social security programs and finances of local governments. Local autonomy began in 1995. Since then, local governments have begun to design and implement their own health and welfare programs, and the decentralization of central government subsidy programs has been actively promoted. As a result, there arose a need for research on the coordination of policy functions between the central and local governments and the allocation of social welfare responsibilities between them. KIHASA conducts research on these areas, as well as analyzing and evaluating local health promotion programs and conducting financial analysis of local governments’ own welfare programs. In addition, we assist local governments in designing their own welfare programs and projects.

Lastly, we provide assistance in the formulation and operation of local social security plans. Each local government makes its own local social security plan to address the welfare needs of its residents. They conduct a survey of local residents about their welfare needs, and make social security plans based on the findings. KIHASA assists these local governments in the entire process, from developing a manual for formulating local social security plans to monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the plan. In addition, KIHASA is involved in the formulation and evaluation of the central government's comprehensive plans and local governments’ action plans in a range of areas, including health promotion, health insurance, medical aid, basic livelihood security, independent living benefits, long-term care, child policy, and youth policy.

Furthermore, KIHASA participates in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of major pilot projects of local governments. These projects are carried out prior to the full implementation of subsidy programs planned by the central government. We assist in the training of service providers, including local government social welfare officials. We also study policy models that promote cooperation between the public and private sectors.

We are living in an era that promotes the balanced development of localities. Rapidly aging population, declining birthrate, and the extinction of localities all have hit our society abruptly, threatening our future and arousing anxiety and fear. The disparity in welfare resources depending on where one lives raises the problems of disparity in the quality of social services and the rising barriers to access to social services.

The Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs is fully committed to exploring effective and practical policy alternatives that can help usher in a new era of balanced development of localities. We are also committed to making sure that all Korean nationals have access to quality social security services, regardless of where they live.

We welcome your interest and advice in our research on local social security policy.