초록
Debt and credit problems in Korea have been escalated during the past decade. The number of people with debt and credit problems is in its historic high. In May 2008, about 2.48 million debtors are officially classified as bad debtors and 7.20 million people have low credit scores. People with low credit scores are in disadvantageous situation in the financial market thus their financial transactions and activities are limited. In 2004, Korean government introduced various credit rehabilitation programs. However, most of these problems are remedial in nature and preventive programs such as credit counseling and debtor education are lacking. The purpose of this review is to examine US credit counseling and debtor education programs to obtain insights for preventive credit program developments in Korea. The review focused on programs offered through National Foundation for Credit Counseling, Jump Start, and Cooperative Extension Services from two large land grant Universities. From the program review suggestions and recommendations for educational contents, program and educator developments, and program quality control were discussed.