The primary purpose of this study is to analyze the recent Danish public assistance reform and derive policy implications for South Korea’s National Basic Living Security System. The core directions of the Danish reform can be summarized into three pillars: simplification of the benefit structure, reinforcement of work requirements, and enhancement of work incentives. Specifically, the reform abolished the complex system of 29 benefit caps and the 225-hour work rule, transitioning toward an income-based monitoring and incentive system. Meanwhile, stringent work obligations and sanctions were introduced for specific vulnerable groups.
These research findings provide the following implications. First, the fundamental characteristics of the Danish welfare state are undergoing a transformation. Notably, "workfare" elements, similar to those observed in the United Kingdom or the United States, have been significantly strengthened. Second, the Danish case offers substantial insights for South Korea’s National Basic Living Security System, which continues to face "non-take-up" issues due to institutional complexity and the psychological barrier of shame. To enhance beneficiaries' understanding and institutional accessibility, it is imperative to simplify the system and improve application procedures in a manner that reduces social shame and stigma.