한국지방행정연구원

A Study on Improving the Method for Estimating Industrial Complex Benefits for Public Investment Decision-Making Process The purpose of this study is to critically review existing guidelines, previous literature, and feasibility study cases to improve the demand and benefit estimation methods applied during the planning stages of industrial complexes initiated by central and local governments. Drawing on the basic unit method, mathematical models, and prior research on demand estimation, this study proposes methodological enhancements across four key areas: strengthening current status surveys to shorten survey periods, refining workforce size criteria, establishing benefit estimation methods for non-manufacturing sectors, and determining the effective operation rates of superstructures, manufacturing industrial facilities. These proposed measures were validated through a Delphi survey involving 11 experts, with the final guidelines established based on majority consensus. The refined analytical methodology is expected to significantly enhance the validity and reliability of economic feasibility analyses in industrial complex planning, while also serving as a robust standard for future related research.

2026.3.31.

Kim, Dae Joong

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The Impact of BTL Public-Private Partnerships Project on the Fiscal Soundness of Local Governments This study empirically examines how government payments for Build-Transfer-Lease (BTL) public-private partnership (PPP) projects affect the fiscal soundness of basic local governments in Korea. Using panel data from 76 municipalities over 2016–2023 (608 observations), we set the debt-to-asset ratio as the dependent variable and per capita government payments as the main independent variable. We estimate fixed-effects and random-effects models, and further apply a dynamic panel model that includes the lagged dependent variable, using GMM estimation. While conventional panel models do not support our hypothesis, the dynamic panel results indicate that higher government payments are associated with a higher debt-to-asset ratio, implying a deterioration in fiscal soundness. These findings suggest that BTL-related government payments may increase the fiscal burden on local governments.

2026.3.31.

Hyun Jeong ･ Seong Min Hong

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Institutional Bypassing and Lock-in of Local Fiscal Discipline: Focusing on the Bond-Fund Linkage in Seoul Metropolitan Government This study aims to empirically examine how the traditional fiscal discipline of the ‘Golden Rule’ has been weakened in the post-COVID-19 era, specifically focusing on the qualitative transformation of municipal bond issuance purposes from ‘Capital Formation’ to ‘Liquidity Provision.’ To this end, the study conducted an analysis of entire municipal bond issuance by the Seoul Metropolitan Government from 2018 to 2025. The analysis reveals that amendments to the Local Government Fund Management Act and the Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety have established an ‘Institutional Bypass Mechanism,’ allowing municipal bonds to be diverted into sunk-cost current expenditures via fund accounts. Notably, the ratio of non-capital bond issuance exhibited an ‘N-shaped’ pattern of deterioration: surging to 25.9% during the pandemic crisis in 2021, temporarily recovering to 0% in 2024, and then rebounding to a record high of 29.2% in the 2025 supplementary budget. This suggests that the bypass mechanism has evolved from a temporary crisis response measure into a structural ‘lock-in’ serving as a routine financing tool for fiscal deficits. This study highlights that the institutionalization of such ‘Soft Budget Constraints’ transfers asset-less liabilities to future generations, thereby undermining inter-generational equity. Consequently, the study proposes policy alternatives to re-establish fiscal discipline, including the introduction of ‘ring-fencing’ for fund revenue sources and mandatory debt-asset linkage.

2026.3.31.

Kim, Suhee

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The Effect of Early Budget Execution on Year-End Expenditure Ratios in Local Governments: The Moderating Roles of Non-Tax Revenue Dependence and Its Diversification This study examines the effect of early budget execution on year-end expenditure ratios in local governments, as well as the moderating effects of non-tax revenue dependence and the diversification of non-tax revenue sources on this relationship. Drawing on panel data from 226 local governments for the period 2015-2020, we employ fixed effects panel regression models. The results show that higher levels of early budget execution are associated with significantly lower year-end expenditure ratios. Furthermore, the negative effect of early budget execution on year-end expenditure ratios is amplified when a government’s reliance on non-tax revenues is lower and when its non-tax revenue sources are more diversified. These findings suggest that greater stability in the revenue structure, by reducing fiscal uncertainty, enhances the predictability and planned nature of budget execution, thereby mitigating the concentration of spending at the end of the fiscal year. By linking early budget execution to features of the revenue structure, this study advances understanding of local governments’ budget execution behavior and provides practical implications.

2026.3.31.

Yeongjun Ko ･ Intae Kim

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Derivation and Application of a Standardized Job Classification System for Public Health Centers to Enhance the Effective Delivery of Community Health Services This study analyzed tasks at the unit-task level based on a job analysis of 27 local government public health centers across four categories and established a Standard Job Classification System. By utilizing data from actual field operations, the study precisely identified and verified the organizational structure of public health centers, extracting "standard jobs" that enable systematic job management. To overcome the limitations of project-centered management, standard jobs were stratified into Core, Expanded, and Management-Target categories based on a combination of criteria: universality, importance, concentration, and standardizability. This framework provides an empirical basis for functional restructuring, optimal staffing estimation, and budget prioritization. In particular, the selection criteria for these standard jobs are rooted in the logic of public sector job management?allocating limited resources to core functions to stably realize public values. The level of management intervention was differentiated by integrating the dimensions of universality, criticality, concentration, and standardizability. The findings confirm the potential for an organizational management system that can substantially contribute to the functional reorganization, efficient resource management, and the strengthening of infectious disease response systems in regional public health institutions.

2026.3.31.

Jimin Choi ･ Jeongwook Lee ･ In Taek Lim

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Analysis of Policy Instruments for Bridging the Digital Divide and Enhancing Inclusion in South Korea’s Smart City: Focusing on the Smart City Act and the 4th Comprehensive Smart City Plan This study analyzed policy instruments for resolving the digital divide and examined their connectivity within the Act on the Promotion of Smart City Development and Industry(Smart City Act) and the 4th Comprehensive Smart City Plan of South Korea, utilizing a 4×4 analytical matrix that integrates digital divide step models with policy instrument theory. The findings revealed that the Smart City Act primarily employs authority-based/coercive and treasury-based/financial tools, establishing legal obligations such as personal data protection and financial support mechanisms. In contrast, the Comprehensive Plan utilized a diverse set of hortatory/informational and organization/voluntary tools, presenting concrete implementation strategies such as tailored solutions for vulnerable populations. In terms of connectivity, the Comprehensive Plan operationalized the goal of strengthening digital inclusion articulated in the Act by translating it into practical policy instruments. However, both were found to be lacking in motivational access strategies. This study offers analytical implications by systematically identifying policy instruments at both the legislative and planning levels, providing policy recommendations to ensure that smart city initiatives transcend technical dimensions to foster social inclusion.

2026.3.31.

Nakyung Lee

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An Exploratory Study on the Characteristics of Municipalities without Residents’ Autonomy Councils This exploratory study examines the characteristics of basic local governments without residents’ autonomy councils and draws implications for future institutional expansion and legalization. Using municipal-level statistical data, the analysis focuses on demographic, socio-economic, and fiscal factors—including aging ratio, economically active population, urbanization level, fiscal self-reliance, and population density—while also assessing the role of mayoral policy commitment. Results show that non-adopting municipalities tend to have higher aging levels and lower economic activity, urbanization, and population density. Regression analysis identifies population aging as the strongest constraint, whereas population density and mayoral commitment are significantly associated with adoption rates. These findings highlight the need for flexible institutional design that accounts for local structural disparities in future policy development.

2026.3.31.

Jisoo Kim ･ Munyeong Hur

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he Expansion of an Innovation Cluster and the Fragmentation of Public Governance : A Grounded Theory Analysis of Stakeholder Perceptions in Pangyo Techno Valley This study analyzes the structural characteristics and fragmentation of multi-level public governance during the spatial expansion of Pangyo Techno Valley and explores the structural conditions that hinder the transition toward collaborative governance. While Pangyo has physically expanded through its first to fourth phases, it has exposed structural limitations, including weakened cooperation between metropolitan and local governments and persistent political conflicts. Applying Strauss and Corbin’s grounded theory, in-depth interviews were conducted with ten stakeholders from public institutions, private firms, and intermediary organizations. The analysis identified 52 concepts and 18 subcategories, revealing the core phenomenon as the “fragmentation of governance and governmentalization of operations.” This dynamic is reinforced by local leaders’ political orientation toward short-term achievements and competition over the “Pangyo” brand. Under these conditions, stakeholders adopt independent response strategies, leading to the formalization of networks and stagnation of the innovation ecosystem. This study empirically demonstrates that physical agglomeration does not automatically foster collaborative governance and highlights the urgent need for an integrated governance system with greater political independence and neutral moderation.

2026.3.31.

Yunhye Jo･Sea-hong Oh

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What Drives Residents’ Participation in Community Building?: Focusing on the Differences in Value Perception Between Participants and Non-participants To explore the answer to the question, “What drives residents’ participation in community-building activities?”, this study conducts an empirical analysis using the case of Seongnam City. The analysis tests competing hypotheses to determine whether satisfaction with the physical environment or perceived social capital has a stronger influence on non-participants’ intention to participate. The results reveal a notable discrepancy between preferences and behavioral determinants. Non-participants tend to perceive the neighborhood as a functional “space” and prioritize improvements in the physical environment. However, satisfaction with the physical environment does not significantly affect their intention to participate. Instead, only perceived social capital—reflected in neighborly trust and a sense of belonging—emerges as a significant predictor of participation intention. These findings suggest that policies centered solely on physical infrastructure improvements face inherent limitations in expanding citizen participation. Accordingly, this study proposes a relationship-oriented, phased support strategy that first provides opportunities for collaborative activities addressing residents’ everyday concerns and gradually builds trust among neighbors, thereby fostering voluntary participation in community initiatives.

2026.3.31.

Han, Byunghoon

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Analysis of Structural Characteristics and Organizational Interactions in Community Care Network Governance: Focusing on SNA of District A, Seoul This study aims to empirically analyze the governance structure of the integrated care network in Seoul’s District A in response to the diversification of care demands accompanying the transition to a super-aged society, and to provide a policy basis for establishing an efficient governance system. To achieve this, social network analysis (SNA) was conducted on a total of 117 institutions within the district, including public agencies, social welfare institutions, and private non-profit organizations, to measure interactions in information exchange, service linkage, and resource exchange. The analysis revealed that the integrated care network in District A exhibited cohesiveness, with all participating institutions connected as a single component. The average connection distance was 2.08 steps, indicating a structure enabling rapid communication between institutions. Public institutions recorded the highest values across all analytical indicators—connectivity, hierarchical centrality, proximity centrality, and betweenness centrality—confirming their role as the practical control tower within the network. Examining cooperation structures by organizational type reveals a robust two-way cooperation channel between public institutions and social welfare organizations. However, social economy and private for-profit organizations exhibit a dependency-based cooperation structure heavily skewed toward public-led initiatives. This pattern exhibited by District A’s public-private governance aligns with the typical structural characteristics of the ‘Lead Organization-governed Network’ model proposed by Provan and Kenis (2008). While this system contributes to ensuring swift decision-making and accountability during the initial policy implementation phase, it carries the potential to stifle autonomous interaction within the private sector and increase the administrative burden of coordination in the long term. Therefore, for the sustainable development of the integrated care system going forward, it is necessary to pursue an evolution toward a multi-layered governance system. This involves maintaining public strategic leadership while progressively transferring coordination authority to leading private specialized institutions identified through analysis as having high mediating centrality.

2026.3.31.

Jiyeon Lee ･ Suegyung Shin

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A Study on the Lagged and Cumulative Effects of the Local Extinction Response Fund: Focusing on the Gyeongsang Region In 2022, the Korean government enacted the Special Act on Support for Depopulation Areas and introduced the Local Extinction Response Fund (LERF) as a key fiscal instrument to address regional population decline. As the 2026 redesignation of depopulation areas approaches, growing attention has emerged in both academia and policy practice regarding the effectiveness of the Fund. Against this backdrop, this study examines the lagged and cumulative effects of the LERF in the Gyeongsang region—comprising Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, Daegu Metropolitan City, and Busan Metropolitan City—where population decline has been particularly pronounced. The analysis focuses on 65 local governments and investigates the one- to two-year lagged effects of the Fund implemented between 2021 and 2023, as well as the three-year cumulative effect, with outcomes disaggregated into net population inflow and regional industrial revitalization. The results indicate that in depopulating areas within the Gyeongsang region, net population inflows significantly increased one and two years after the implementation of the Fund, confirming the existence of a policy lag of at least one to two years before measurable demographic outcomes materialize. These findings suggest that local fiscal interventions are more likely to generate delayed rather than immediate effects. Furthermore, the analysis of cumulative effects over a three-year period reveals that depopulating areas experienced an approximately 39.8% greater cumulative increase in net population inflow compared to non-depopulating areas. These findings carry important policy implications. Rather than evaluating LERF investment plans on an annual basis, a multi-year (two- or three-year) evaluation cycle may better capture medium- to long-term outcomes and encourage more strategic planning. Given the statistically significant cumulative effects identified in this study, establishing a systematic feedback mechanism to monitor and refine fund implementation over time is essential for enhancing policy effectiveness.

2026.3.31.

Taekyoung Lim

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Re-design of Autonomous Decentralization and Strengthening the Capacity of Local Councils The birth of a national sovereign government needs to change the fundamental framework of state administration. Existing state-centered administration, presidential-centered, and parliamentary party-centered state administration should be redesigned for sovereign residents. To redesign the state structure, the constitution must be revised first, and an institutional redesign that reflects the philosophy of state administration centered on parliament, such as regional representative members, people’s initiative, and direct autonomy in Eup, Myeon, Dong, is necessary. The reorganization of autonomy should introduce a parliamentary-centered philosophy of state administration, such as a general assembly, formation of local governments based on the theory of proprietary rights, equal division of roles between central and local governments, abolition of political party nomination rights, and formation of a community autonomous community in the neighborhood. Local autonomy should also be converted from the head of the organization to parliament-centered autonomy, and it is necessary to enact local council laws, diversify the composition of local government institutions, increase local financial independence, and establish training facilities or local council research institutes to strengthen local council capabilities.

2026.3.31.

Chandong Kim

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A Grounded Theory Study on the Process of Motivational Distortion among Civilian Employees in the Korean National Police Agency This study aims to examine the institutional and processual mechanisms underlying motivational distortion among civilian employees working within a police officer–centered organizational structure. Drawing on in-depth interviews with eleven civilian employees employed at a regional police agency (Agency A), the study applies the grounded theory procedures developed by Strauss and Corbin to analyze their lived work experiences. The findings reveal that the participants’ experiences extend beyond simple job dissatisfaction and instead constitute a process of defensive survival shaped by institutionalized subordination. Under the causal conditions of the personalization of personnel administration and structural promotion stagnation, participants experienced a profound sense of powerlessness stemming from the loss of control over their career trajectories. The contextual condition of a police officer–centered “sacred lineage” culture further positioned civilian employees not as partners in public safety governance but as auxiliary support staff, thereby instrumentalizing their professional expertise. As these conditions converged, a central phenomenon—status inconsistency and fragmented self-identity—emerged, characterized by the coexistence of external symbolic prestige and internal organizational marginalization. In response, participants adopted strategies of defensive distancing and the diffusion of cynicism, which ultimately resulted in the institutionalization of learned helplessness and instrumental organizational persistence. Rather than identifying isolated factors, this study conceptualizes motivational distortion as a dynamic process in which personnel structures, organizational culture, and managerial practices interact to gradually erode and reshape motivation.

2026.3.31.

Geon Lee ･ Jisu Jeong

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The Multilevel Effects of Organizational and Individual Readiness on the Utilization of Generative AI and the Intention for Future Use: Focusing on Korean Municipalities This study examines how organizational and individual readiness influence the current use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and the intention for future use in basic local governments (municipalities) in South Korea, where generative AI adoption is still at an early stage. Using survey data collected from public officials working in municipalities, readiness was conceptualized at both the organizational and individual levels based on officials’ perceptions of organizational and individual conditions, while generative AI use was measured across four domains?administrative efficiency, public service innovation, knowledge and decision-support, and innovation and capacity building?distinguishing between current use and future intention. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the multidimensional structures of readiness and generative AI use. Structural equation modeling revealed that both organizational and individual readiness have significant positive effects on current use and future intention. Notably, organizational readiness showed a stronger association with current use, whereas individual readiness had a greater impact on future intention. These findings suggest that organizational foundations play a critical role in the initial adoption stage, while individual attitudes and learning readiness are more influential for the sustainable expansion of generative AI use. By empirically analyzing generative AI use in the context of municipalities, this study provides insights into the conditions under which generative AI can be effectively utilized in local public administration.

2026.3.31.

Young Min Park

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Exploring the Effectiveness of Local Close ‘Ocean New Deal’ Policy in Korea: Focusing on Local Government Pilot Projects The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the local close Ocean New Deal policy advocated for carbon neutral conversion in Korea. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of Korea promoted the regional carbon neutral Ocean New Deal project. The results of the policy case study are as follows. First, The Ongjin-gun, Incheon Metropolitan City has built a smart marine management system. In the island area of ​​Ongjin-gun, drones and satellites are used to identify the source of marine debris and build a system that can predict its movement, and support the establishment of an optimal collection and treatment plan. It is planned to increase the carbon absorption capacity of local coasts and seas by preventing the occurrence of marine debris and expanding recycling while also improving the efficiency of the collection system. Second, Gochang-gun promoted ‘Keep Clean, Blue Harbor’. Eco-friendly energy utilization facilities such as charging stations for electric propulsion ships and charging stations for electric vehicles. The policy effectiveness was found to be relatively high in the Ocean New Deal pilot project. Accordingly, this study proposed support and expansion of the Ocean New Deal policy, and suggested various improvements and methods.

2026.3.31.

Woo, Yang-Ho

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AI Adoption and Its Characteristics in Korean Local Administration: A BERTopic-Based Topic Modeling Analysis This study examines AI-related initiatives contained in innovation implementation plans submitted by Korean local governments by applying BERTopic-based topic modeling and clustering. The analysis identifies fifteen topics and five clusters, demonstrating that AI does not function as a fixed, objective technology but is enacted into different administrative functions depending on local policy demands, organizational capacity, and environmental context. Regional differences in AI utilization stem less from disparities in technical infrastructure than from administrative and institutional factors, while central government strategies play an agenda-setting role rather than directly determining project design. These findings highlight that effective AI policymaking in local administration must move beyond technology deployment and instead focus on how local administrative capabilities and institutional conditions transform technologies into meaningful administrative functions within diverse local contexts.

2026.3.31.

Sue-Kyeong Lee ･ Seok-Jin Eom

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Realizing Special Self-Governance based on Administrative Integration and Its Institutional Challenges: A Comparative Analysis of the Daegu–Gyeongbuk Special Act and the Daejeon–Chungnam Special Act This study aims to clarify the purpose and intent of the Special Act on Administrative Integration by meticulously analyzing and diagnosing the ‘Special Act on Daegu-Gyeongbuk’ and the ‘Special Act on Daejeon-Chungnam,’ which are discussed as part of the ‘5-Pole, 3-Special’ policy. Above all, this study emphasizes that for an Integrated Metropolitan City to move beyond a mere physical merger of administrative districts and realize substantial special autonomy, the Special Act must embody a clear vision and objective, accompanied by institutional mechanisms for exercising actual authority. To this end, the study examines the legal and institutional limitations presented in both Special Acts and proposes measures for the Integrated Metropolitan City to secure a high level of autonomy. The specific findings are as follows: First, it suggests the need to supplement the legal titles of the acts to reflect regional visions and resident demands, while strengthening legal grounds to enhance the procedural legitimacy of wide-area administrative integration. Second, it identifies the necessity of strengthening fiscal privileges, such as a fixed-rate system for the Ordinary Shared Tax, and ensuring autonomy in organizational and human resource management through exemptions from the Standard Personnel Cost System. Third, it explains the importance of complementing self-governing institutional privileges, including the reinforcement of functions for lower-level municipalities(Si/Gun/Gu and Eup/Myeon/Dong), the establishment of multi-level governance to activate resident-led local democracy, the enhancement of local councils’ roles, and the redesign of educational autonomy and autonomous police systems tailored to the Integrated Metropolitan City. Finally, alongside institutional aspects, the study proposes the discovery of deregulation and industrial promotion privileges that reflect regional characteristics to clearly establish the status and role of the Integrated Metropolitan City. In particular, while suggesting the discovery of privileges centered on Ordinance-based Privileges(Type 5), it implies that the substantial completion of legislative autonomy can be achieved through comprehensive transfer of authority in the mid-to-long term.

2026.3.31.

Kim, Heung Ju

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Policy Integration for the Five Growth Poles and Three Special Zones (5G3S) Strategy: The Case of Opportunity and Education Development Zones This study aims to examine how Opportunity Development Zones (ODZs) and Education Development Zones (EDZs) can be interconnected and integrated within the policy framework of mega-special zones to enable the substantive implementation of Korea’s Five Growth Poles and Three Special Zones (5G3S) strategy, and to identify the conditions under which such integration can generate meaningful outcomes. To this end, this study reconceptualizes special zone policies through the lenses of policy integration and governance, focusing on the case of opportunity and education development zones in Chungcheong area. The findings are threefold. First, the analysis of goal alignment across special zones indicates that the objectives of establishing future-oriented industrial growth hubs and building future education cities are formulated in parallel, thereby forming a complementary relationship between growth-pole formation and education-innovation models. Second, the analysis of policy instrument complementarity reveals partial complementarities between ODZs and EDZs; however, these instruments tend to be arranged in a parallel manner rather than being systematically developed in alignment with mega-special-zone–level objectives and strategies at the supraregional scale. Third, while ODZs are primarily driven by local governments, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, related central ministries, firms, and designated support agencies, EDZs operate through education-ecosystem–based actor networks centered on local education offices, universities, and research institutions. Finally, in the absence of integrative governance arrangements, interactions among actors are characterized by fragmented operations and weak linkages with other policies, with planning processes remaining largely sector-specific and independent. These findings suggest that the effective implementation of the 5G3S strategy requires not only the spatial expansion of special zones but also the realignment of policy goals, functional integration of policy instruments, and the establishment of integrative governance mechanisms that connect industrial and education policies within mega-special zones.

2026.3.31.

Lee, Seo Hee ･ Ryu, Lanhee ･ Kim, Jungsook

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Beyond Showcasing Administration to Substantive Integration : A Comparative Case Study of Success and Failure in Collaboration among Departments in Korean Local Governments This study identifies the micro-level mechanism enabling the transition from ‘showcasing administration’ to ‘substantive integration’ in the Korean public sector. Integrating ‘cognitive diversity management’ and ‘inclusive leadership’ theories, we conducted a theory-driven comparative case study of two extreme projects in a South Korean provincial authority (Smart Tourism vs. Mobility-Welfare Integration). To ensure internal validity, the research controlled for political capital and task complexity while mitigating hindsight bias by triangulating interview data with real-time documentation such as meeting minutes and messenger logs. The analysis reveals that substantive integration is a socio-psychological process where inclusive leadership builds ‘psychological safety’ to dismantle the accountability-avoidance culture rooted in audit fears. Specifically, the findings demonstrate that while job rotation generally strengthens in-group bias, it can be neutralized when a leader re-categorizes the project as a ‘superordinate identity.’ This research contributes to the literature by establishing a four-stage mechanism: inclusive leadership triggers psychological safety, leading to superordinate identity formation, which is ultimately locked in through structural institutionalization (culture-first, institutionalization-second).

2026.3.31.

Kim, Hougyun

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Assessing the Sustainability of Saemaul Undong Activities: A Quantitative Analysis through the Lens of the UN Sustainable Development Goals This study empirically analyzes the relationship between the Saemaul Undong—a representative model of community development in Korea—and the contemporary paradigm of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Although the Saemaul Undong has expanded its role within the field of international development cooperation, systematic analyses of the strategic distribution and limitations of its sustainability portfolio have been lacking. To address this research gap, the study conducted a quantitative content analysis of 240 official activity summaries submitted by Saemaul Undong organizations across the country. Using a self-developed multidimensional analytical model, unstructured textual data were systematically examined along three dimensions: level of impact (output, outcome, impact), activity domain (hardware vs. software), and inclusiveness. The analysis identified three structural characteristics within the Saemaul Undong portfolio. First, activities revealed institutional inertia, showing concentration in traditional domains (SDG 11: community, SDG 2: hunger) and specific demographic groups (the elderly). Second, a structural duality was observed between a dominant utilization model characterized by hardware–output linkages and an exploratory model defined by software–impact linkages. Third, the overall center of gravity of the portfolio was clearly positioned in the low-impact, hardware-oriented domain, indicating a structural imbalance. Based on these findings, the study argues that the sustainability portfolio of the Saemaul Undong remains constrained by structural inertia rooted in past success formulas, resulting in qualitative gaps even in its core areas of activity. These results suggest that, for the Saemaul Undong to evolve into a sustainable development model, it must move beyond the path dependency of efficiency-driven practices. In conclusion, the study proposes that a strategic rebalancing effort is needed to systematically identify and enhance the movement’s latent potential for software-centered innovation. ퟇ Keywords: Saemaul Undong, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Portfolio Analysis, Policy Evaluation

2025.12.31

Jeon Hosung ･ Kim Minchan ･ Nam, Jae-Geol

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Governance Strategies for Promoting Region-led Carbon Neutrality The concept of region-led carbon neutrality refers to an approach in which local governments and diverse community actors take the lead in planning and implementing carbon-neutral policies that reflect the specific conditions and characteristics of their regions. Achieving carbon neutrality requires organic collaboration among multiple stakeholders and sectors, as well as the integration of place-based approach and multi-level governance that can facilitate regional leadership under the national climate transition framework. This paper proposes several governance strategies to strengthen region-led carbon neutrality. First, to encourage autonomous regional climate action planning, the scope of locally managed emissions should be reviewed, and a new category for “community energy transition” should be added. Second, local governments must be granted the necessary authority and financial resources by linking regional carbon neutrality and energy-transition initiatives with the national balanced-growth strategy and establishing a central–local Climate-Energy Partnership Agreement. Third, horizontal cooperation within regions should be activated. The role of local climate committees should be elevated, and a regional collaboration framework should be constructed around carbon-neutrality support centers. Fourth, to ensure effective performance management, major projects may be jointly managed by central and local governments, and incentive mechanisms should be considered. ퟇ Keywords: Region-led Carbon Neutrality, Multi-level Climate Governance, Place-based Approach, Community Energy Transition, Climate-energy Partnership Agreement

2025.12.31

Kim, Ho cheol

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The Impact of Perceived Regional Settlement Environment on Youth Settlement Consciousness: Focusing on the Moderating Effect of Community Ties among Youth in Gimhae City This study explored factors enabling sustainable settlement of young adults beyond temporary influx to address regional decline caused by population decrease. Using structural equation modeling, we examined settlement consciousness?encompassing current residential satisfaction and future settlement intention?as the dependent variable, perceived settlement environment across socio-cultural, economic, and safety dimensions as independent variables, and community ties as a moderator. A survey of 224 young adults (ages 20-39) selected through quota sampling across 19 districts in Gimhae City revealed that socio-cultural, economic, and safety perceptions significantly influenced settlement consciousness in that order. Notably, among young adults with strong community ties, economic condition perception did not significantly influence settlement consciousness, indicating that community attachment functions as a psychological buffer that moderates the impact of economic constraints. This moderating effect indicates that fostering community bonds can mitigate the limiting impact of economic factors on youth retention. The findings demonstrate that while economic conditions matter, socio-cultural factors and community integration play more decisive roles in youth settlement decisions. This study provides empirical evidence and theoretical insights for developing youth settlement policies, emphasizing the importance of building social connections alongside improving economic opportunities. The results suggest that regional retention strategies should prioritize community engagement programs and socio-cultural infrastructure development to strengthen young adults’ psychological attachment to their regions. □ Keywords: Youth, Settlement Consciousness, Settlement Environment, Community Ties, Moderating Effect

2025.12.31

Jeong Min Oh ･ Sang Hyeb Lee

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A Study on the Factors Influencing Nuclear Power Acceptance: Direct and Indirect Effects of Sense of Community This study analyzes the direct and indirect effects of sense of community (membership, influence, and fulfillment of needs) on nuclear power acceptance. Nuclear power plant siting conflicts remain a critical challenge in energy policy worldwide. While existing studies have predominantly explained acceptance through the risk perception paradigm focusing on risk-benefit perceptions, the communal context of local residents—the key stakeholders—has been largely overlooked. This study adopts a comparative approach with the risk perception paradigm, the dominant explanatory framework, to examine the impact of sense of community on nuclear power acceptance. Based on regression analysis and moderation analysis of survey data, the findings revealed paradoxical direct effects: community influence and fulfillment of needs positively affected acceptance, while membership had a negative effect, actually decreasing acceptance. Furthermore, moderation analysis demonstrated that the interaction between perceived benefits and community influence was significant, indicating that higher levels of community influence strengthened the positive effect of benefit perception on acceptance. Additionally, the interaction between trust and community fulfillment of needs was significant, showing that higher levels of community fulfillment of needs amplified the positive effect of trust on acceptance. These findings demonstrate the empirical validity of a community-based acceptance model beyond the risk perception paradigm, reveal the multidimensional nature of sense of community where membership and influence have opposing effects, and verify the sociopsychological amplification mechanism through which sense of community strengthens the effects of cognitive evaluation factors. The policy implications suggest that, moving beyond simple risk management or material compensation-centered siting policies, enhancing collective efficacy through expanded resident participation and designing community-tailored benefits are core strategies for improving acceptance in the era of energy transition. ퟇ Keywords: Sense of Community, Risk Perception Paradigm, Nuclear Power Acceptance

2025.12.31

Jung, Dagyum ･ Kim, Minji ･ Kim, Yeseong ･ Park, Siyeon ･ Sun, Jimin ･ Kim, Seoyong

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The Impact of 4IR-Related Industrial Specialization on Regional Economic Resilience: A Case Study of the COVID-19 Pandemic In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution(4IR), identifying the economic effects of new technologies is a crucial task for regional growth strategies. However, quantifying these effects at the firm level has remained challenging. To address this limitation, this study adopts an alternative approach using 4IR-related industrial specialization. Recognizing that the COVID-19 pandemic served as an exogenous shock that simultaneously affected industries nationwide, the study employs a natural experiment framework and incorporates the concept of regional economic resilience to capture the trajectories of decline and recovery. Based on the Korean Standard Industrial Classification, 4IR-related industries were defined, and measures of 4IR-related industrial specialization and regional economic resilience were constructed using Census on Establishment. The analysis revealed that specialization in 4IR-related manufacturing and information/communications industries enhanced resilience, whereas specialization in 4IR-related finance/insurance and professional/scientific industries had no significant effects. These differences stem from heterogeneous levels of technological adaptation and the capacity to respond to contactless demand across industries. Additionally, industrial diversity was found to weaken resilience, supporting existing arguments that the effects of diversity are nonlinear and vary across regional contexts. By empirically showing that regional economic resilience depends on the maturity of technologies and 4IR-related industrial base, this study highlights the need for local governments to reorient their industrial policies toward a sustainable direction that strengthens structural capacities that enable rapid recovery from external shocks. ퟇ Keywords: 4IR-Related Industrial Specialization, Regional Economic Resilience, COVID-19 Pandemic, Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies, Digital Transformation

2025.12.31

Sungwon Yoon ･ Sangwon Lee ･ Kabsung Kim

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A Study on the Reform of Local Consumption Tax by Restricting the Taxation Authorities to the Higher Level of Local Governments Local consumption tax is an exceptional local tax item in which all local governments are authorized to taxation, and the Education Offices, although are not given the authorities, also receives some of the revenues. However, local governments do not even have minimal authority over tax administration because the special collection officers exercises tax administration procedures such as imposition and collection, and the payment manager distributes the tax revenue according to predetermined standards. The paper proposes ways to simplify and reorganize the tax system by limiting the taxation authority to the higher level of local governments, cities and provinces, and transfers part of local consumption tax revenues to the lower level of local governments and Education Offices by using the existing local fiscal adjustment systems. By this way, the tax system can be greatly simplified by removing the complex and diverse standards applied to the distribution of local consumption taxes to cities, counties, districts, and education offices. Additionary, tax revenue neutrality can be maintained between each higher level of local government and lower level of local governments as well as each higher level of local government and education office by determining an proper level of local consumption tax transfer. Changes in local consumption tax revenues of cities and counties due to the reform of the system are largely offset by the process of calculating the ordinary grant tax, so tax revenue neutrality of individual cities and counties can be maintained within a certain range. □ Keywords: Local Consumption Tax, Tax Authority, Local Fiscal Adjustment Grants

2025.12.31

Byeongho Choe ･ Jong-Pil Jeong

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