Social welfare in Korea evolved through successive responses to war, rapid growth, and economic crisis, gradually shifting from residual relief to a more institutionalized social protection system. In the postwar period, welfare policy centered on emergency assistance for displaced and vulnerable groups, with limited fiscal capacity and heavy reliance on foreign aid and non-state actors. During the era of state-led industrialization, social protection remained subordinate to economic growth, although basic legal frameworks and selective social insurance programs were introduced. As industrialization progressed, rising inequality and social risks increased public demand for welfare, leading to a notable expansion of social spending and the strengthening of core programs. A major milestone was the achievement of universal health insurance through the integration and extension of fragmented schemes, alongside the consolidation of pension and employment insurance systems. The late-1990s economic crisis further accelerated welfare expansion and broadened coverage, redefining the state’s role in guaranteeing minimum living standards. Despite these advances, persistent challenges remained in coverage gaps, work incentives, fiscal sustainability, and the appropriate division of responsibility between the state and the market.