Decentralization Policies in Korea- Problems and Tasks -

The Roh Government’s decentralization policies have characteristics somewhat different from those of former governments’. If the policies of decentralization succeed, the role of local government will increase, with the result that the existing local government organization and staff will not be able to deal effectively with the increased tasks which will follow upon devolution. In order to address these issues organizational change in local government is necessary. Local decentralization will reestablish the role of local government and reinforce its powers. In order to change current conditions, whereby local issues cannot be dealt with from a local point of view so that we have to rely on central government to solve local problems, it is essential to strengthen the power of local government. In other words, it is imperative that local governments have the power and the ability to solve local problems and address the issues within their jurisdiction. It is also important that local government operates under conditions in which it is held accountable in an autonomous way. It is crucial that local government extends the participation of local people and reinforces their capacity for learning, on the basis of community consciousness and responsibility. Seen from this perspective, the point of the decentralization policy in Korea is that the capacity of local people, and their community consciousness, can be reinforced through citizen participation, thus enabling innovations in local government and reform to central government, leading to a strengthening of national competitiveness.