earticle

영어

Fifteen years have passed since local autonomy was reintroduced in Korea. Four mayors directly elected by Seoul citizens served only one term each. This study aims to explore the continuity and change in Bukchon policy over the last ten years (1999-2009), and find out the answer to the following question: Does the new mayor continue or change the former mayor’s policy in the era of local autonomy? This study surveyed official documents, reports and texts of speeches, and interviewed government officials, professionals and resident representatives who participated in the planning and implementation process of the Bukchon policy. The study then analyzed the continuity and change in the Bukchon policy in four aspects: policy status, planning and the legal system, organization and manpower, and projects and budgets. In addition to the literature review, a Delphi survey of the participants in the planning and implementation process of the Bukchon policy was also conducted. The survey analysis showed the following conclusions: First, every time Seoul city has a new mayor, the Bukchon policy is changed because the new mayor had his own will, pledge and policy priority different from that of the former mayor. The goal of the Bukchon policy was changed from preservation of the residential area to invigoration of tourism. The status of the organization in charge and manpower also changed several times. Second, the Bukchon policy underwent many changes after a new mayor was elected. In spite of this, the Bukchon policy has continued as a whole. Although the changes were remarkable at the early stages of the new mayor’s term, the policy returned to its condition, and occasionally, the policy was rather strengthened after the new mayor’s mid-term. Third, although the Bukchon policy continued without interruptions, it was not consistent. Good examples of this include the change in the goals of policy, change of the competent authority from Housing Bureau to Culture Bureau and its return to Housing Bureau, and several changes in the organization in charge. In the era of local autonomy, there is, and will be, a lot of room for change in the Bukchon policy as long as the mayor changes. Accordingly, an institutional framework is needed in order to continue the Bukchon policy and keep it constant. It is necessary to implement the Bukchon policy consistently according to a long term plan which has a legal force, or enact the Bukchon Ordinance that clearly stipulates the goals and basic principles of the Bukchon policy. This should be discussed in depth in further studies.