[Essay] The 'Basic Care Society': Guaranteeing the Social Maximum and the Right to Care
1. Introduction: Reframing the Vision of Integrated Care The recent launch of the Presidential Committee on Basic Society in South Korea marks a pivotal moment. The concept of a "Basic Society" is rapidly evolving from a mere policy slogan into a dominant discourse that will likely encompass the entire spectrum of future social policies. In this shifting landscape, as the community-based integrated care system is being implemented, we face a critical question: What should be the ultimate vision of this care system? My answer to this question is clear: We must strive toward a "Basic Care Society." But what vision does a Basic Care Society truly hold? Ultimately, the answer hinges on how we define and set the level of what is "basic." 2. Paradigm Shift: From "National Minimum" to "Social Maximum" Traditional welfare systems have historically been designed around the concept of a "National Minimum." This perspective is epitom...