• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.109-126
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• 2013

This paper aims to define Mecius's people-care theory(保民論), and aims to recognize the characteristics of social security contained in Mecius's people-care theory. Mecius considered to the public relief as King's obligation. So to speak, the King protects to the property of the people. Especially his people-care theory implicate to continuity of safety life, a relief fund on the property, protection of disaster damage. Continuity of safety life means to enabling the people procurable food, clothing and bury dead persons without difficulties. It's may be said that implicated to the theory and system of modern social-welfare. It is reason for his opinion that a state should construct in the minimum social safety network by taking responsibility for basis needs of life. He was a humanist so much. He thought about the pursuit of the human happiness and the improvement in quality of life. Therefore his idea nearly means to the social security system in a modern sense. His thought is not only an ideal background on the public assistance and a social relief security in the contemporary but also a relief activity system such as Jindaebup called historical prototype of social welfare. It is an important fact that his people-care theory implicate to social security system.