The Korea Local Administration Review

The Korean Local Government Law was established in 1949. During the last60 years, there were many changes in the contents of the law. The changeswere not always in positive way for the development of the local autonomy.Since in 1961 the local government law was suspended and the local councilswere dissolved by the military government. Also the local election was stoppeduntil 1991. The local election for the local council members restarted in 1991and for mayors in 1995. In this article, it will show how the local governmentlaw has been changed from 1949 to 2009. Additionally, it will contain somesuggestions for revision of the Korean local government law. For the first thingto suggest is to separate the law of Shi-Do autonomy from Shi-Koon-kooautonomy which are now regulated under one law. For the second recommendation,to restore the position of Eup and Myeun to become autonomous actor whichare now dominated by Shi-Koon-Koo. Third one is to extend the power of thelocal legislation. Fourth, let local council to have the appointing power for itsstaffs and clerks which now belongs to mayor.