The Korea Local Administration Review

It has been almost twenty years since the local government of the Republic of Korea began implementing the inter-Korean exchange and cooperation. The inter-Korean exchange and cooperation by the local government is deemed highly important as it provides both Koreas with the windows of opportunities of the substantial exchange and cooperation at the civilian level. However, the current legal system with respect to the inter-Korean exchange and cooperation has somewhat hindered the local governments from demonstrating their relevant capacities since the current legal system is designed to control and restrain the local government’s inter-Korean project. The case of German unification is highly suggestive as the inter-German exchange and cooperation amongst the local governments of East and West Germany had significantly contributed to the German unification. Hence, the current study suggests the ways forward to reform the current legal system to improve the relevant capacity of the local government as well as to create a synergy effect between central and local government during the implementation of the relevant project. The current study discusses about what and how to revise the current Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Law and Development of Inter-Korean Relation Law and introduction of the reporting system in the non-security areas.   □ Keywords: local government, inter-Korean exchange and cooperation, reform, legal system, reporting system in the non-security areas