«It has been considered as the key to democratic transition and consolidation, yet the ideal of local democracy was by and large overlooked, limited, or delayed by the dominant state power and central political world in Korea.
Even when the wave of decentralization proliferated around the world since the 1970s, the hegemonic central power controlled localities and even dominated the process of decentralization. However, despite the prevailing strong centralism, the rise of residents and civic organizations at the local level vis-à-vis the state is viewed as one of the most striking trends in Korean democracy today.»[1]

In South Korea, the terms «province» or «local» refer to the areas excluding capital Seoul, which cover 80% of the land area and where 50% of population reside.

In 1995, local government system began in Korea. After a decade, in 2004, the administration of former President Roh Moo-hyun worked on «balanced national development campaign.» As a result, relocation of public sectors and construction projects for 10 new innovative cities throughout the nation have been underway for some time now.

Nevertheless, in South Korea people consider that the local is deprived, backward and hard to lead a life, despite the fact that «local» has been the basis of the nation, politics, economics, society, and culture for so long.

For now is the time for the region to become the main driver of balanced national development. Decentralization is one of the main points of a constitutional amendment being discussed. There is a high possibility that «local autonomy» would be supported through constitutional amendment.

But the South Koreans ask themselves: how do we live in local area? How local town should be designed? What should they prepare for decentralization?

Therefore, the 16 regional stations of MBC would like to give a chance for local people to thoroughly think about «local autonomy» for their future by showing other countries cases, like Switzerland.

The Institute has been asked to participate to this filming documentary, whose content would be as follow:

1.   History and federal structure of Switzerland;

2.   Local autonomy and democracy of Switzerland;

3.   Local government Act or Federal Constitution specifically mentioning decentralization.

[1]              Yooil Bae, Singapore Management University; to be downloaded here.