[Editorial] Strengthening the National Basic Livelihood Security System

Today is the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the National Basic Livelihood Security System. The system, which guarantees a basic standard of living to low income earners making less than the minimum cost of living on the condition that they support themselves, greatly contributed to social stability with the number of poor rising rapidly after the 1997 financial crisis. In particular, in that the system stresses the social responsibility toward the poor and highlighted for the first time that the guarantee of a basic living is not a favor granted by the nation but a right granted to beneficiaries, is historically significant.

But despite the efforts, the way to go to resolve the issue of poverty is still long off. Not even half of those making less than the minimum cost of living are receiving National Basic Livelihood Security benefits. Half of those have been excluded from the list of beneficiaries because they are dependents. The system has been improved several times, but we must continue to prepare rational improvement policies so that no one who needs support is neglected.

Another urgent project is to expand support to the class of people who are just above the cutoff line, who are stuck in the basic livelihood security system blind spot. The potentially poor are estimated to make up about 4.2 percent of the population. Firstly, there’s a need to support those in need of special protection like the old and disabled by allotting allowances. Some are discussing the “welfare disease,” citing instances of people improperly receiving benefits, but talk like this is ignorant of the meager reality of Korea’s social welfare system.

To resolve the problem requires money. We must rush to increase Korea’s social welfare expenditures, which is not even half of those of developed nations when compared to economic size. We must make sure no one is excluded from all sorts of social insurance benefits, and strengthen a universal social service aimed at social underdogs like children, the elderly and disabled. Through this, to help those who can support themselves and cut at the roots the appearance of a poverty class is an effective poverty solution.

The Hankyoreh, 1 October 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection (MH)]