Lee Dong-jin, President of the University of Local Autonomy and Decentralization, and Son Hee-jun, Professor at Cheongju University, Appointed as Distinguished Professors at the University of Local Autonomy and Decentralization

On the 3rd, Chair Professor Appointment Plaque Presentation and Meeting Held at Jachibunwon University Yeouido Studio

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Lee Dong-jin, President of the University of Local Autonomy and Decentralization (Chairman of the Local Autonomy and Decentralization Local Government Council, Mayor of Dobong-gu, Seoul), visited the Yeouido Studio of the University of Local Autonomy and Decentralization located in Yeongdeungpo-gu at 11:30 a.m. on the 3rd to receive a plaque of appointment as Distinguished Professor and to attend a faculty meeting.

This appointment ceremony was held to appoint professors who have demonstrated outstanding activities in their respective areas of local autonomy and decentralization as Distinguished Professors of the University of Local Autonomy and Decentralization, providing a forum for discussions on local autonomy and decentralization.

At the event, Lee Dong-jin, President of the University of Local Autonomy and Decentralization, presented plaques of appointment to the four newly appointed Distinguished Professors present: ▲ Choi Jin-hyuk, Professor of Public Administration at Chungnam National University ▲ Song Kwang-tae, Professor of Public Administration at Changwon National University ▲ Chae Won-ho, Professor at the Graduate School of Public Administration, Catholic University ▲ Son Hee-jun, Professor of Social Sciences at Cheongju University, offering congratulations and encouraging their active future participation.

During the subsequent meeting, the professors stated, “The general public’s understanding of local autonomy and decentralization is low, and the necessity is not well recognized, but we believe the University of Local Autonomy and Decentralization can fulfill that role well.” They suggested, “Through civic education for grassroots democracy and resident autonomy, the necessity and meaning of local autonomy and decentralization should be comfortably conveyed to ordinary residents, and genuine resident autonomy should be realized.”

Lee Dong-jin, President of the University of Local Autonomy and Decentralization, remarked, “I appreciate the efforts of the existing professors at the University of Local Autonomy and Decentralization, and I believe those efforts have accumulated to bring us this far. The university was launched with a shared understanding of the need to strengthen local autonomy and decentralization and with organized challenges, and its first lecture was held first in Dobong-gu. I hope today’s meeting will be a time to receive advice from the professors and for the university to further develop.”

Meanwhile, the University of Local Autonomy and Decentralization is an educational institution for local autonomy that has signed an agreement with the Local Autonomy and Decentralization Local Government Council, chaired by Lee Dong-jin, Mayor of Dobong-gu. On April 15, Lee Dong-jin was also appointed as President of the University of Local Autonomy and Decentralization, leading both the council and the university together.

Since 2017, the University of Local Autonomy and Decentralization has opened campuses annually targeting member local governments nationwide, developing and operating educational programs to strengthen residents’ autonomy capabilities. As of 2021, there are currently 37 campuses in operation.

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