The Constitution of the Republic of Korea stipulates that every citizen shall have the equal right before laws (Paragraph 1, Article 11), shall deserve the human dignity and value as well as the right to pursue happiness (Art. 10), and also the right ...
The Constitution of the Republic of Korea stipulates that every citizen shall have the equal right before laws (Paragraph 1, Article 11), shall deserve the human dignity and value as well as the right to pursue happiness (Art. 10), and also the right to live a life worthy of human (Para. 1, Art. 34). The State is thus obliged to confirm and ensure the inviolable basic human right of an individual (Art. 10) and to endeavor to promote social security and welfare for him or her (Para. 2, Art. 34). Moreover, the State is supposed to make efforts to improve welfare and benefit of women (Para. 3, Art 34) and to guarantee, in particular, the interests of women in family to be upheld on the basis of personal dignity and equality of the sexes (Para. 1, Art. 36). The welfare and interest for women in Korea is firmly rooted on the Constitution, from which the laws stipulating the provision of welfare service for women have been legislated. It can't be denied, however, that there is a dead ground where the system for women welfare is not in service in real terms despite lots of regulations that have been put into operation. It is, therefore, requested to enact laws that may guarantee women to live a healthy and cultural life on the minimum base, and to realize by thus their benefit and welfare, with their dignity as human and actual equality assured. The present study has the purpose of recognizing equality of the sexes above all, fostering dignity, value, basic right and freedom of women as a human being, abolishing discrimination and oppression against women and, ultimately, realizing the respect to and protection of women as subjects of maternity. In this respect, it is tried to review the significance and reality of the system for women welfare service and laws in Korea including the law for social welfare projects, related regulations on social welfare service, laws governing family and sexual violences that are aimed at assuring female human rights. It is also purported to investigate the appropriateness, efficiency and policies of such systems and compare them with those of advanced countries in an effort to seek proper direction for progress of welfare service system for women in Korea. Also, it is quite imperative to synthesize the legislation into one that deals with the welfare service for women who need care comprehensively instead of treating it independently by subject and, by so doing, to ensure efficiency in selection of subjects, appropriateness of payment, integration of delivery channel and financing in a bid to renew and renovate the system. It should be thus necessary to work out practical plans fit to the needs for welfare of women who are subjected to analysis in this paper in parallel with changing demand of our society for welfare under the new environment.