Role of Local Governments in the Post-Corona Era?

Future Autonomy and Decentralization Research Institute 2020 3rd Forum Held... Local Government Efforts and Challenges to Overcome COVID-19 Presented

Moon Seok-jin, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu and Chairman of the Association of Autonomous Decentralization Local Governments (second from the right), is delivering a welcoming speech at the Future Autonomous Decentralization Research Institute forum.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] The Future Autonomy and Decentralization Research Institute under the Association of Autonomous Decentralized Local Governments (Chairman Seokjin Moon, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu) held the 3rd forum of 2020 on the afternoon of the 29th at Space M in Mapo-gu, under the theme "Post-Corona and the Future of Local Governments."

Due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the event was live-streamed online. The forum was hosted by Seokjin Moon, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu and chairman of the Association of Autonomous Decentralized Local Governments, with panelists including Taeyoung Yeom, Mayor of Suwon, Seungnam An, Mayor of Guri, Changbok Yoo, Director of the Future Autonomy and Decentralization Research Institute, Gunhwa Jung, Professor at Hanshin University, and Kwanhoo Lee, Research Fellow at the Gyeongnam Research Institute.

On this day, local government heads introduced the "COVID-19 quarantine status at the basic local government level," emphasizing that "autonomy and decentralization, which grant authority and responsibility to local governments, are crucial for quarantine."

They also stressed, citing specific cases, that "in national crisis situations, local governments must be empowered to take responsibility on-site and make swift decisions."

The expert panel urged the preparation of measures to respond to the New Normal era brought about by COVID-19.

They pointed out various issues accompanying the COVID-19 crisis, such as the climate crisis, economic crisis, and community collapse, calling for local governments to take the lead in responding.

The forum video is available on the YouTube channel of the Future Autonomy and Decentralization Research Institute.

The Association of Autonomous Decentralized Local Governments was founded in 2016 and currently has 42 local governments nationwide participating, actively engaging in activities for autonomy and decentralization.

The Future Autonomy and Decentralization Research Institute under the association was established last year as a think tank to strengthen autonomous capabilities and spread consensus on autonomy and decentralization.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.