[K-Women Talk] No Dignified Death Without Care... Declaration of a Care State Needed

Whenever the World Economic Forum (WEF) publishes its Global Gender Gap Report, there is great interest in South Korea's ranking in terms of gender disparity. In 2023, the country dropped six places from the previous year to rank 105th. However, there is an even more important aspect to focus on: the direction for solutions. The World Economic Forum emphasizes that gender equality must be at the core of building a better economy and suggests that five government policies need to be well designed. One of these is related to the care system.

Is our current care system functioning well? It is difficult to say anything positive. The burden of care falling solely on women has not significantly improved. Working women still provide care 3.5 times more than men. Elderly care is similar; the order has only shifted from daughters-in-law to daughters. Marriages and childbirths, which predict the sole responsibility of care, are naturally avoided, and career interruptions due to caregiving remain a reality. Moreover, infants, children and adolescents, people with disabilities, and those with severe illnesses fundamentally require social care, yet there are blind spots. Although South Korea is classified as an advanced economy, it has not ended overseas adoptions, and the issue of reverse caregiving by children, adolescents, and young adults caring for their families has not been fully resolved. Paid caregiving labor risks becoming entrenched as low-wage, undesirable jobs characterized by feminization, stratification (with low-income groups primarily responsible), and migration (with people from poorer countries taking on these roles).

Care work is essential labor among essential labor. It involves both paid and unpaid physical, mental, and emotional labor necessary for life activities, growth, and fulfillment. Without care work, no one can survive or face a dignified death. Care embodies the values of coexistence, respect, and mutual prosperity among family and community members. Despite the importance of care work, its value is undervalued, and the contradictory situation that restricts women's economic and social activities persists. This stems from the state's perception of care as merely a selective welfare program for vulnerable groups. The recently announced 3rd Basic Social Security Plan (2024?2028) also fails to overcome this limitation.

For the social care system to function properly, a shift in perception beyond welfare policy is required. In a super-low birthrate and super-aged society, care is a political, economic, and social issue overall. A reorganization of social care is needed, forming a care system where the state, corporations, local communities, and families all share responsibility. Care must be recognized as a human right, and government care policies should operate as quasi-universal welfare covering at least up to the middle class, not selective welfare. There should be no blind spots or reverse caregiving. Additionally, paid care work must be supported by policies to become relatively decent jobs. According to a survey by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Women’s Headquarters, the desired wage for care services is 16,000 won per hour. The more unstable the labor, the higher the basic wage should be relatively. Like male nurses, more male care workers and male nursing staff should be nurtured.

Companies must recognize employees as beings who simultaneously perform (paid) labor and (unpaid) care and manage human resources accordingly, flexibly guaranteeing the right to care for family members. Local communities should also promote mutual care programs among residents within the framework of integrated medical and welfare care and the sharing economy. The daily distribution of care responsibilities should be equally shared by men and women, and a designated caregiver system should be established so that intimate relationships beyond marriage, blood relations, or adoption can be officially recognized for roles in livelihood, medical care, daily care, and funerals.

Advancing the social care system cannot be achieved by simply adding a few selective welfare programs or slightly expanding the target groups. It is impossible without a comprehensive national-level direction setting and a complete system overhaul. Let us enact a Basic Care Act to clarify the direction and implementation system of care policies. Let us declare a care state and create a care policy initiative.

Cha In-sun, Visiting Professor at Paichai University

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.