Comparative Analysis of the Framing of Childcare Policy by Korean Governments with Different Ideologies

Abstract

Childcare policies have special significance in the Republic of Korea, due to population aging and low birthrates. This study identified policy differences between governments with different ideologies and derived relevant policy implications. We analyzed the childcare policy framings of the conservative Park Geun-Hye administration and the progressive Moon Jae-In administration through validated media articles. We confirmed that the policies of both administrations are not different from each other: both employ negative problem-diagnostic framing. The media regard their policies as similar: both have strong state-led characteristics. Some differences exist: conservative media criticize childcare funding and progressive media support its principles. The progressive administration employed temporal framing and emphasized benefits to recipients, while the conservative administration did not employ temporal framing and emphasized political intentions. Further, the progressive administration had denser connections with policy performers and emphasized the private sector’s active involvement. The paper concludes with recommendations for more effective policy processes.