Preparing for a better tomorrow, Welfare State Society

Welfare State Society is

A community of people with a shared passion to build a dynamic welfare state in Korea

A think-tank that researches and produces the rationale and policies for the Korean welfare state

A center of various public campaigns to promote the Korean welfare state

Establish the theories and the philosophy for the welfare state

Constructing the basic principles and the ideology behind the dynamic welfare state

Proposing concrete policies and values for the dynamic welfare state

Directing the path for sociopolitical realization of the dynamic welfare state

Develop policies for the welfare state

Researching adequate national systems and policies for the dynamic welfare state

Researching future-oriented social policies

Drawing a roadmap of economic policies that will realize the dynamic welfare state

Carry out civic movement & coalition with other groups for the welfare state

Researching citizens’ need for welfare

Initiating popular participation and civic-political movement to realize the welfare state

Assisting sociopolitical efforts and political mobilization for the dynamic welfare state

Major Activities

Welfare State Society (W.S.S.) seeks to fundamentally resolve the “Five Livelihood Insecurities” and thereby build a better Korea in which all citizens’ well-being can be realized. By overcoming a bipolarized system of market dogmatism and selective welfare, we are leading the construction of the dynamic welfare state in which the economy and the welfare system are wholly integrated.

W.S.S. is putting a great effort into developing the rationale and strategies for the dynamic welfare state and seeks to spread our developed ideas and policies. We are concentrating our efforts on a diverse range of subjects regarding the welfare state and publicizing our results online and offline.

W.S.S. values action. W.S.S. is redoubling its efforts to reinforce the movement to form a solid support basis for the welfare state, work with groups in Korea and abroad, and encourage popular participation in various areas. All our activities will lead to the creation of a “People’s Home” where happiness is realized for all Korean citizens.

Academy and Education Programs Research and Seminar

Symposium and Public DiscussionReports and Publications
Youth DevelopmentDomestic and International Networking

Academy and Education Programs

W.S.S. provides various programs to study the ideology, the philosophy, and the policies of the dynamic welfare state. We are regularly holding a Leadership Academy, Policy Academy, Congressional Advisor Academy, and Economic Policy Academy. In addition, we are running similar programs in several major cities for those living outside of Seoul. We welcome anyone interested in our education programs.

Research and Seminar

W.S.S. holds a monthly seminar and a congressional discussion together with the National Congress’ Democracy and Welfare State Research Group. We are also running research teams consisting of our Policy Development Committee and outside experts, focusing on various subjects such as social care, education, health, housing, labor, economy, tax, budget, etc. The results of our studies are published online through our website (www.welfarestate.net), emailed to our sponsors and members, and published as issue papers and reference collections.

Reports and Publications

W.S.S. conducts research for public interest, also reflecting requests from our members, and publishes experts’ articles twice every week. We are also conducting research for the National Congress, Regional Congresses, the government, and labor unions. These achievements are published as books, data collections, and articles so that they can be shared with as many people as possible.

Symposium and Public Discussion

W.S.S. holds symposiums and discussions along with the press and other think-tanks. We are focusing publicizing issues such as the national healthcare system, economic democratization, taxation, education and care system, national pension system reform, etc.

Youth Development

W.S.S. offers special programs for the youth, such as the Welfare State Youth Network to educate future leaders of Korea. Youth Network’s student-run newspaper diagnoses Korean society’s problems from the youth generation’s perspective and publishes articles online. Youth Network’s policy forum seeks to develop future leaders who will lead the welfare state.

Domestic and International Networking

W.S.S. collaborates with various progressive think tanks, civic groups, and labor unions both domestically and internationally to meet our ultimate goal: realizing the welfare state in Korea. As a part of its international solidarity, W.S.S. is actively engaged in joint projects with Japan’s Youth Union, German’s Friedrich-Ebert Foundation, and Sweden’s Palme International Center.

Publications

Why Welfare State: 19 Reasons

A Better Society for My Children

Lee Sang-yi, Opening the Door for Welfare State

The Road to the Dynamic Welfare State 01

The Welfare State’s Political Alliance

What Is Your Welfare State?

To the Dynamic Welfare State over Neo-liberalism

Progressive and Conservatism: A Discussion of the Future

To a New Finance from G20

All Medical Bills Covered By National Health Insurance!

Korea, Take Care of the Welfare State!

The Swedish and the Welfare State

A Guidebook for Citizens: How to Use the Health Insurance

Controversy over Medical Privatization and the Future of Korean Medical Industry

Korean Society and Re-establishment of the Left

Exploring the Korean Health Inequality

The Welfare State Revolution