Abstract

This study analyzes how inequality emerges in the formation and transformation of Korea’s community-based integrated care system. The study explores the social reality of integrated care from the perspectives of ‘Morphogenetic Approach’ (Margaret Archer) and the ‘Laminated System’ (Roy Bhaskar). It emphasizes that community-based integrated care is not merely a policy measure but a dynamic social practice shaped by interactions among various actors, including the government, service providers, and users. Special attention is given to how the capitalist market structure and historically established health and welfare policies contribute to structuring inequality in integrated care. The study also examines how disparities in service accessibility and resource allocation, influenced by regional and socioeconomic conditions, exacerbate care inequality. Finally, through a people-centered perspective, the study highlights the experiences and problem awareness of residents and service users, often overlooked in existing policies and research, and explores the role and potential of social power in enhancing equity in community-based integrated care.