KIHASA has added four new research reports to its publications, including: “Strengthening Collaboration in Disaster Mental Health Support” and “A Study on Building an Archive for the Korean Self-Sufficiency Support Policy.”

1. Strengthening Collaboration in Disaster Mental Health Support by Jun Jina, et al.

In response to the increasing number of individuals experiencing various mental health issues following disasters, the government has been enhancing and providing a system for disaster mental health support. However, throughout the stages of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, challenges have emerged, such as the duplication of services provided by multiple entities and communication breakdowns at the field level. As a result, there has been a consistent demand for improved collaboration and the establishment of well-defined roles in disaster mental health support. Therefore, this study aims to reflect on the experience of collaboration in disaster mental health support in Korea and identify ways to strengthen collaborative systems for future disaster preparedness and response at the mental health policy level.

2. A Study on Building an Archive for the Korean Self-Sufficiency Support Policy by Joung Eun Hee, et al.

The purpose of this study is to build an archive to systematically collect, organize, and preserve historical records of South Korea's Self-Sufficiency Support policies, which have evolved through contributions from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector. Based on a literature review, stakeholder interviews, and discussions, the researchers identified important materials from national archives, academic works, policy reports, and private donations, supplemented by partnerships with key institutions. Structured using the Dublin Core metadata standard, the archive ultimately contains 966 records. The primary users are policymakers, researchers, and activists, who can access the material through the Self-Sufficiency Support Policy Archive platform within the Korea Institute of Health and Social Affairs eLibrary. While the archive provides a comprehensive collection, the scarcity of early and local materials emphasizes the need for ongoing supplementation. 

3. Study on Re-establishing the Role of the Housing Allowance System: With a Focus on International Case Studies by Lim Deokyoung, et al.

Housing is a fundamental human right and an essential condition for a stable life. However, due to economic inequality and disparities in housing environments, many people struggle to secure adequate living spaces. As a result, housing allowance has become a crucial policy tool for safeguarding housing rights. This study examines the practical role of housing allowance in our society and its contribution to protecting housing rights. It focuses on redefining the status of Korea’s housing allowance by comparing it with international systems, aiming to explore more effective and equitable policy directions. Furthermore, the report goes beyond merely diagnosing the current system. It proposes development strategies and improvement measures for Korea’s housing allowance by analyzing policies in OECD countries and drawing policy implications from case studies in Germany, Finland, and the United States.

4. Demographic Monitoring Yearbook 2024 by Chang Insu, et al.

This policy brief applies the basic framework of KIHASA's pilot project for population change monitoring, first implemented in 2022, to produce and interpret key indicators related to main factors of population change, including childbearing, death, migration, marriage, divorce, population growth, composition, the foreign population (multicultural families), and spatial distribution. This policy brief highlights that demographic changes are not merely statistical trends but fundamental factors that can deepen our understanding of the challenges facing Korea and inform the review of policy demands.