한국과 미국의 보훈제도에 관한 비교 연구

This study aims to analyze the veterans’ benefits systems of South Korea and the United States from a comparative legal perspective, identifying institutional differences and suggesting policy improvements for the Korean veterans’ support system. The United States operates a centralized and functionally integrated system under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), primarily focusing on military veterans and disabled veterans. Its system emphasizes practical welfare services such as health care, rehabilitation, compensation, employment assistance, and memorial services. In contrast, South Korea’s veterans policy is applied to a broader range of recipients, including independence patriots, participants in the Korean War, victims of democratization movements, public servants injured in the line of duty, and special mission agents. However, the Korean system is fragmented across various legal frameworks and administrative bodies. This study compares the two systems across eight key dimensions: administrative organization, eligibility, budget, core functions, compensation benefits, medical support, employment/loan assistance, and memorial projects. The findings suggest that while Korea’s veterans system emphasizes symbolic inclusion and historical recognition, it lacks administrative coherence and equitable, practical support. Policy recommendations include improving administrative integration, enhancing compensation and welfare delivery, redefining eligibility standards, and fostering public consensus around veterans policy as a collective national responsibility. Ultimately, the study proposes that Korea’s veterans policy evolve toward a more inclusive and functional welfare-oriented model.