한국지방행정연구원

The recent trend of strengthening autonomy and decentralization does not simply mean quantitatively expanding more authority to local governments. For responsible local decentralization, it is important to strengthen the capacity of local governments to take the lead and strengthen responsibility commensurate with expansion of authority. In this study, we looked at theoretical discussions on local government accountability and diagnosed the level of local autonomy decentralization and local government accountability. Based on this, we developed measures to strengthen local government accountability by target of accountability: executive agency (head of local government); decision-making body (local council) and residents.
Although general residents have a relatively low evaluation of the level of local government accountability compared to local public officials, they believe that the authority and level of accountability of local governments should be expanded from what they are now. In order to realize autonomous decentralization, it is necessary to move away from the central government- centered guardianship accountability mechanism, strengthen local governments’ autonomous control mechanisms, and seek ways to strengthen local government accountability based on residents’ sovereignty.
Measures to strengthen local government accountability by executive agencies were examined from an institutional perspective, focusing on self-evaluation and self-audit. First, it is necessary to clarify self-evaluation and self-audit terms, systematize evaluation targets and periods, and establish and disclose an implementation plan. Second, the flexibility and expertise of self-evaluation and self-audit must be strengthened. Third, the results of the evaluation and audit must be made public so that the self-evaluation and self-audit plan can be linked to the results of the self-evaluation and self-audit. Fourth, in order to strengthen the independence of the self-auditing organization, it is necessary to reorganize the audit committee from a monopoly system of auditors to a consensus system of audit committee.
Strengthening the accountability of local governments by local councils can be divided into a plan to strengthen the accountability of local councils to residents and a plan to strengthen the accountability of executive agencies by having local councils check and control executive agencies. In detail, in order to strengthen the authority of local councils to check and control executive agencies, the scope of local councils’ decisions is expanded, the requirements for heads of organizations to request reconsideration of local council decisions are limited, the status of ordinances and rules is strengthened, and the composition of institutions is diversified. In order to strengthen the administrative audit and investigation capabilities of local councils, the local council support system needs to be supplemented and local governments need to be given autonomy in setting the period for administrative audits. In order to ensure transparent and responsible legislative activities for residents, the local council’s internal control system should be strengthened by reorganizing the concurrent office system and disciplinary system for local council members, and improving the committee’s executive ability by establishing regulations on the role of the ethics review advisory committee.
Measures to strengthen the responsibility of local governments by residents include disclosure of local government performance information and flexible modification of policies, provision of prior learning opportunities for participating residents, design and operation of various communication channels between local governments and residents, participation of key policy makers, and improvement of administrative procedures were suggested.
When cooperative decision-making between residents and local governments is reflected in the actual policy process, residents themselves become aware of their role as residents, and local governments also share responsibility with residents. Additionally, collaborative decision-making between local governments and residents can contribute to expanding the area of ​​local government accountability. Through this process, local governments can develop policies and strengthen the effectiveness and accountability of local administration.
Since Korea’s local self-governance system is still a centralized structure that relies on the central government for the administrative and financial authority of local governments, it should be reorganized into an autonomous and decentralized structure that can strengthen local government accountability through resident participation. Discussions should be held at a structural level so that residents can feel the effects of local autonomy. In addition, the authority and status of local councils must be substantiated so that the accountability of local governments can be strengthened, and the structural conflict between the executive body (head of the local government) and the decision-making body (local council) must be reduced. It is necessary to strengthen the accountability of local governments by converting to an integrated or city manager-type organization so that it can become a cooperative relationship.
Meanwhile, unexpected problems may arise in the process of actually promoting institutional improvement using research results. From the local government’s perspective, a series of efforts to strengthen accountability may act as organizational fatigue, aggravating the central government’s supervision, self-evaluation and audit of executive agencies, checks by local councils, and resident control. Using this study as basic data, continuous efforts are needed to build consensus among executive officials, local council members, residents, and central ministries.