The year 2024 marks the 100th birth anniversary of Kim Dae-Jung, a towering figure in the political history of South Korea. Of all his numerous achievements, the one that particularly stands out is his contribution to the development of social welfare. During his presidency, the welfare state in South Korea experienced a turning point and achieved a notable progress. It is no exaggeration to say that, during this period, South Korea witnessed a transformation of its welfare state. The welfare system established by Kim Dae-Jung during his presidency still remains largely intact, making his welfare policies relevant and real even today. However, Korean society now faces various social challenges that differ from those during the Kim Dae-Jung era, which means a critical examination of his welfare policies might be required. This paper aims to critically reflect on the welfare policies of the Kim Dae-Jung government, focusing on the political dynamics and mechanisms of his productive welfare policies from a discursive institutionalist perspective. It is hoped that this paper will contribute to diagnosing the present state of the welfare state in South Korea and envisioning its future.