In the 1960s, Korea's social security system was run as a fragmented and scattered set of programs. The Act on Social Security was enacted on November 5, 1963, but it did not have the substance a framework social security law should have. So even with that act, there was a need for a framework act that would properly set the basic ideals of social security, settle matters common to its programs and serve as the legal foundation of the system. In October 1994, a Framework Act on Social Security bill was submitted to the National Assembly. It passed in the regular session of 1995, and on December 30, 1995, the Framework Act on Social Security, which can be called the constitution of social security, was promulgated. This can be seen as a step to improve efficiency and cut costs by reorganizing the 'unification of administrative responsibility,' the third of Beveridge's six principles of social security, and to strengthen expertise and coordination.

The Framework Act on Social Security is a law enacted to set out basic matters of social security and to contribute to public welfare. Its basic ideal is to support self-reliance so that all citizens can escape various social risks and live happy and decent lives, and to create the systems and conditions needed for citizens' social participation and self-realization, thereby achieving true social integration and a welfare society in which everyone feels happy.

Its basic ideal is to guarantee a minimum standard of living so that all citizens living in Korea can lead decent lives, to have the government create systems and conditions that let each citizen improve their own standard of living, and to realize a true welfare society by balancing equity and efficiency in doing so.

The purpose of the Framework Act on Social Security is to contribute to public welfare by setting out citizens' rights to social security, the responsibilities of the state and local governments, and basic matters concerning social security programs.

As for its character, the act is a framework law. That is, whenever another law on social security is enacted or amended, it must be made consistent with this act.

Looking at the act, my own views on it, whether it contains a legal structure and content suited to solving social problems, and its future improvements, shortcomings and directions for reform can be summarized in a few points.

To add: the Act on Social Security enacted on November 5, 1963 was repealed when the Framework Act on Social Security was enacted on December 30, 1995, and the framework act took effect on July 1, 1996. It was then wholly revised on January 26, 2012, and the current law, in force since January 27, 2013, reorganized the concept of social services and provisions on a lifelong social safety net and the social security information system. Electronic vouchers for social services began in 2007 with elderly care, personal assistance for disabled people and community service investment programs, and long-term care insurance for the elderly took effect on July 1, 2008.