In Korean society, elder care has traditionally been regarded as the responsibility of the family—especially of women—based on Confucian familism and filial piety. Even though changes in family relationships and increased participation of women in social life mean this is no longer an issue families can resolve alone, it has continued to be perceived merely as a caregiving burden.

Professor Hye‑Kyung Kim (Department of Sociology)'s research, which reconceptualizes elder care from dependence and burden to interdependence and proposes policy alternatives, is receiving attention.

The study led by Professor Kim, titled 'Experiences of Elder Care and the Politics of Relational Autonomy,' was selected for the '2012 Outstanding Basic Research Outcomes' by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation of Korea.

Through this research, Professor Kim introduced the concept of 'relational autonomy,' which presumes human vulnerability and interdependence in the concept of elder care.

'Relational autonomy' refers to an alternative concept of autonomy that goes beyond independence and dependence and is realized through policy measures by individuals, families, and the state.

By reframing elder care as interdependence and proposing policy alternatives addressing the family conditions and social environment that make this possible, the study is evaluated as opening up new possibilities for reexamining elder care.

Accordingly, Professor Kim received a certificate for the Outstanding Basic Research Outcome at the National Science Museum on September 13 at 11:00 a.m.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation of Korea plan to hold a traveling exhibition—starting in Daegu and visiting Busan, Gwangju, Seoul, and other cities—through October 28, and then host a permanent exhibition at the Advanced Science Hall of the National Science Museum through September of next year.

Professor Kim said, 'There is a widespread tendency to view elder care solely as one‑sided dependence or support, but caregiving is an unavoidable condition throughout the human life course. For older people, families, and society to coexist, mutual dependence and responsibility must be recognized across society, and policies must be implemented with sensitivity to the autonomy of older people or those who require care.'