Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Act is to prescribe basic matters relating to volunteer service activities so as to promote volunteer service activities and thereby contribute to building a happy community.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 7, 2014]
Article 2(Basic directions) #
Policies to promote volunteer service activities shall be based on the following principles:
1. Volunteer service activities shall be carried on to enhance cooperative participation of citizens;
2. Volunteer service activities shall be carried out under the principles of non-compensation, spontaneity, public interest, non-commercialism, and political and religious neutrality;
3. All citizens shall be allowed to take part in volunteer service activities irrespective of age, gender, disability, region, or educational or other social backgrounds;
4. Policies to promote volunteer service activities shall be carried forward in the spirit of public-private partnership.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 7, 2014]
Article 3(Definitions of terms) #
The definitions of terms used in this Act shall be as follows:
1. The term "volunteer service activities" means activities performed by individuals or organizations devoting their time and effort without compensation at their free will, for the benefit of the local community, nation, and human society;
2. The term "volunteer" means any person who performs volunteer service activities;
3. The term "volunteer service organization" means any nonprofit corporation or organization established mainly for the purposes of performing or supporting volunteer service activities;
4. The term "volunteer service center" means any institution, corporation, organization, etc. established pursuant to any Act and subordinate statutes, municipal ordinance, etc. to carry out the business affairs of development, encouragement, connection, cooperation, etc. with respect to volunteer service activities.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 7, 2014]
Article 4(Responsibilities of the State and local governments) #
The State and local governments shall encourage and assist citizens to take part in volunteer service activities by formulating policies to promote volunteer service activities.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 7, 2014]
Article 5(Prohibition of political activities) #
(1) Any volunteer service organization or volunteer service center that is provided with support under Articles 14, 18 and 19 of the Act shall be prohibited from engaging in any election campaign for a specific political party or individual in the name of such organization or center or a representative thereof.
(2) "Election campaign" in paragraph (1) means any election campaign under Article 58 (1) of the Public Official Election Act.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 7, 2014]
Article 5-2(Prohibition of forcing volunteer service activities) #
No person shall force an individual or organization to perform any volunteer service activity.
[This Article Added on Dec. 27, 2016]
Article 6(Relationship to other Acts) #
Except as otherwise provided for in other Acts, this Act shall apply with respect to the promotion, etc. of volunteer service activities.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 7, 2014]
Article 7(Scope of volunteer service activities) #
The scope of volunteer service activities governed by this Act shall be as follows:
1. Activities for the promotion of social welfare and public health;
2. Activities for the development and progress of communities;
3. Activities for the conservation of the environment and the protection of nature;
4. Activities for the promotion of rights and interests of socially disadvantaged groups and the fostering and protection of juveniles;
5. Activities for education and counseling;
6. Activities for the protection of human rights and the realization of durable peace;
7. Activities for the prevention of crimes and proper guidance;
8. Activities for the guidance of traffic order and basic public order;
9. Activities for disaster management and relief;
10. Activities for the promotion of culture, tourism, arts and sports;
11. Activities for the prevention of corruption and the protection of consumers;
12. Activities for campaigns for clean elections;
13. Activities for international cooperation and overseas volunteer service;
14. Activities for administrative support in the public administration sector;
15. Other activities necessary for the performance of public interest projects or promotion of residents’ welfare.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 7, 2014]
Article 8(Volunteer Service Promotion Committee) #
(1) In order to deliberate on major policies concerning volunteer service activities, a Volunteer Service Promotion Committee shall be established under the control of the Minister of the Interior and Safety, which consists of public officials of relevant public officials and civil experts. <Amended on Aug. 16, 2023>
(2) The Volunteer Service Promotion Committee shall deliberate on the following matters:
1. Setting directions for policies to promote volunteer service activities and coordination and cooperation therefor;
2. Matters relating to the national basic plan and annual implementation plans thereof to promote volunteer service activities;
3. Matters relating to the improvement of systems to promote volunteer service activities;
4. Other necessary matters relating to the promotion of volunteer service activities.
(3) A working committee may be established within Volunteer Service Promotion Committee to conduct a prior examination of the matters to be deliberated on pursuant to paragraph (2) as well as to arrange matters consulted on among relevant agencies.
(4) Necessary matters regarding the composition, organization and operation of the Committee on Promotion of Volunteer Service and the working committee thereof shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 7, 2014]
Article 9(Establishment of national basic plan for promotion of volunteer service activities) #
(1) The Minister of the Interior and Safety shall formulate a national basic plan for the promotion of volunteer service activities (referred to as "basic plan" hereinafter) every five years, after consultation with the heads of relevant central administrative agencies. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014; Jul. 26, 2017>
(2) The basic plan shall include the following matters:
1. Basic direction-setting for the promotion of volunteer service activities;
2. Schedule for implementation of the promotion of volunteer service activities;
3. Policies to be implemented by relevant central administrative agencies with respect to volunteer service activities;
4. Methods for raising funds necessary to promote volunteer service activities;
5. Other matters deemed particularly necessary to promote volunteer service activities.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 7, 2014]
Article 10(Formulation of annual implementation plan) #
The head of the relevant central administrative agency and the heads of local governments shall formulate and carry out an annual implementation plan according to the basic plan.
Article 11(Volunteer service activities encouraged by schools and companies) #
(1) Schools shall endeavor to encourage, guide and manage student volunteer service activities.
(2) Employers shall endeavor to promote workers volunteer service activities.
(3) The heads of schools, companies, etc. may recognize their students and employees for their contributions to volunteer service activities.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 7, 2014]
Article 12(Rewards) #
The State and local governments may reward volunteers, volunteer service organizations, volunteer service centers, etc. that render distinguished service to the State and society through volunteer service activities, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 7, 2014]
Article 13(Volunteer Day and volunteer service week) #
(1) To promote citizens’ participation in volunteer service activities and boost the morale of volunteers, the State shall designate December 5 of each year as Volunteer Day and one week from the Volunteer Day as volunteer service week.
(2) Necessary matters regarding events for Volunteer Day and Volunteer Service Week shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 7, 2014]
Article 14(Protection of volunteers) #
(1) The State and local governments shall endeavor to ensure that volunteers engage in volunteer service activities in a safe environment.
(2) Necessary matters regarding the kinds and details of volunteer protection, including taking out insurance policies, shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 7, 2014]
Article 15(Management of volunteer service activities) #
Volunteer service organizations and volunteer service centers shall endeavor to systematically manage measures, etc. for the education, training and safety of volunteers.
Article 16(Use of state and public property) #
To promote volunteer service activities, the State and local governments may allow volunteer service organizations and volunteer service centers to enjoy gratuitous lease or use of State or public property, if deemed necessary to operate any project specified in Presidential Decree, notwithstanding the provisions of the State Property Act and the Public Property and Commodity Management Act.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 7, 2014]
Article 17(Korea Council of Volunteering) #
(1) Volunteer service organizations may establish Korea Council of Volunteering, which is renamed Volunteering Korea, to carry out the following activities to promote and facilitate volunteer service activities on a national scale:
1. Support for collaboration among and projects of member organizations;
2. Domestic public relations and international exchange to promote volunteer service activities;
3. Development, survey and research of policies regarding volunteer service activities;
4. Proposal of policies regarding volunteer service activities;
5. Sharing of information and other support related to volunteer service activities;
6. Other projects entrusted by the State and local governments with respect to the promotion of volunteer service activities.
(2) The Volunteering Korea shall be a corporate entity.
(3) The Volunteering Korea shall come into existence by registration thereof, with authorization by the Minister of the Interior and Safety after preparing its articles of incorporation. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014; Jul. 26, 2017>
(4) Necessary matters regarding the organization, operation, etc. of the Volunteering Korea shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 7, 2014]
Article 18(Support for volunteer service organizations) #
The State and local governments may provide administrative support necessary for the activities of volunteer service organizations, including reimbursement of working expenses under the Assistance for Non-Profit, Non-Governmental Organizations Act.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 7, 2014]
Article 19(Establishment and operation of volunteer service centers) #
(1) State agencies and local governments may establish a volunteer service center. In such cases, volunteer service centers shall be operated in the form of a separate corporation or entrusted to other non-profit corporations.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of the latter part of paragraph (1), volunteer service centers may be directly operated by the State agencies and local governments, if deemed necessary to efficiently promote volunteer service activities.
(3) The State shall actively endeavor to promote the establishment and operation of volunteer service centers, and local governments may reimburse expenses necessary to operate volunteer service centers.
(4) Qualification requirements for the heads of volunteer service centers and other necessary matters regarding the organization, operation, etc. of volunteer service centers shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 7, 2014]
Article 20(Penalty provisions) #
The penalty provisions of Article 255 (1) 11 of the Public Official Election Act shall apply to any volunteer service organization or volunteer service center that violates the duty not to engage in political activities, etc. under Article 5.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 7, 2014]