earticle

영어

It is argued that the Korean local politics has been progressed through the pivotalcontribution of the local councils in the post-democratic period. The local council wasalways an unwavering engine of the local politics even in the wake of a turbulenthistory of contemporary political-economic circumstances includes the economiccatastrophe of the late-1990s, the first time (peaceful) power transition of 1998, andthe controversial presidential impeachment of 2004. Despite its relatively positiveinvolvement, the recent status of the local council is likely remaining an ineffectiveimplement. This is due primarily to local constituents’ feeling a lack of gratificationfor their local councils. We pay attention to the two factors that created such dissatisfaction: first, an inept operation of the council which presumably originatedfrom diminutive professionalism of the council members and the shortcomings ofinstitutional and legal schemes. Secondly, there is a lack of space created for localconstituents to participate in the process of governance. During this study, we will collect reliable evidences which directly result in thedependent variable, a stand still local council in terms of its genuine role in the localpolitics. Throughout survey among selected local constituents in major cities likeBusan, Daegu, and Kwangju, which are a paragon of regional cleaver age as adominant resource in politics. Yet, very few academics have focused on local politicsin these cities when they develop their research on Korean regional politics. Moreover,not many academics specifically underscore regional party system and regional backedlocal council lead governance as the alternative for surmounting the shortcomings ofKorean regional. At the presentation, we would highlight how the Korean local councilis a key agent in local politics and can rejuvenate regional party system and a localcouncil centered governance. We have a resolute confidence that our distinguishedresearch subject, specified targets, and unprecedented proposition would be ameaningful asset in the further development of Korean local politics.

한국어

본 연구는 한국의 영호남지역의 4개(대구․경북․광주․부산) 광역지방의회를 대상으로 지방의회 의정요인 및 정당요인을 평가하고, 이들 요인이 지방정치 활성화에 어떠한영향을 미치는지를 규명하고자 한다. 또한 지방정치 활성화 방안으로 지방정당 및 의회거버넌스 구축에 초점을 두고자 하는데, 지방정당 차원에서는 지방정당의 실효성을 검토해 보고 이를 허용 및 설립을 위한 법적‧제도적 방안을 모색한다. 지방의회 차원에서는지방의회의 기능과 역할을 조명해보고, 주민만족 및 참여, 협력네트워크 구축을 위한 의정거버넌스 구축방안을 제시한다. 연구대상 지역은 한국에서 그 어느 지역보다 정당색이짙은 영호남지역의 지방의회를 선택하였고, 연구방법은 지역주민의 의견을 직접 조사하여 평가하는 서베이(survey) 방법을 선택하였다. 본 연구를 통해 한국의 지방정치를 한단계 발전(upgrade)시키는데 중요한 시사점을 제공할 수 있을 것이다.