Korea-Japan Regional Policy Research Meeting Concludes: "Seeking a Joint Vision for the Next 30 Years of Local Autonomy"

Korea Institute of Local Administration, GRIPS, and Sejong City Co-host
31st Korea-Japan Regional Policy Research Meeting Successfully Held
Korea and Japan Share 30 Years of Local Autonomy Achievements and Discuss Future Policy Directions

The Korea Institute of Local Administration (President: Yuk Dongil), in collaboration with the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Japan and Sejong Special Self-Governing City (Mayor: Choi Minho), successfully held the "31st (2025-2nd) Korea-Japan Regional Policy Research Meeting" on the 5th at the Grand Conference Room of Sejong City Hall.

The Korea Institute of Local Administration, in collaboration with the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Japan and Sejong Special Self-Governing City, is holding the "31st (2025-2nd) Korea-Japan Regional Policy Research Meeting" on the 5th at the main conference room of Sejong City Hall. Provided by the Korea Institute of Local Administration

This research meeting was organized to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the revival of local autonomy in Korea and the 30th anniversary of the enactment of Japan’s Local Decentralization Promotion Act. Under the theme "Evaluating 30 Years of Local Autonomy Achievements and Future Policy," participants from both countries discussed the development of their respective local governance systems and future policy directions.

From Japan, Professor Yasuro Inoue (GRIPS) emphasized the need for further devolution of authority and expansion of fiscal autonomy in his presentation, "Remaining Challenges and Future Prospects of the First Local Decentralization Reform." Professor Yamato Ogawa (Kwansei Gakuin University) introduced strategies to address changes in Japan’s regions, such as population decline and regional disparities.

On the Korean side, Choi Jimin, Director of the Korea Institute of Local Administration, presented "Achievements and the Way Forward after 30 Years of Local Autonomy," highlighting the necessity of establishing governance systems at the regional level and strengthening substantive decentralization. Jang Minju, Director of Policy Planning for Sejong City, introduced Sejong’s administrative capital model and innovative policies under the theme "Sejong, the Administrative Capital: Present and Future of Korea’s Leading City for Balanced National Development."

The subsequent panel discussion featured participants such as Kim Chandong (Professor, Chungnam National University), Oh Seungeun (Professor, Jeju National University), Ko Cheolyong (Director, National Balanced Development Support Center, Sejong City), Hirofumi Takada (Vice President), and Kiyotaka Yokomichi (Professor Emeritus). They discussed issues including redefining central-local relations, expanding resident participation, and establishing wide-area governance structures.

Yuk Dongil, President of the Korea Institute of Local Administration, stated, "Sejong is a new administrative capital model where central administration and local autonomy coexist, symbolizing Korea’s balanced national growth and decentralized governance. This research meeting marks a meaningful starting point for sharing 30 years of local autonomy experience and for both countries to build a sustainable regional development and collaborative decentralization framework together."

He added, "Going forward, the Korea-Japan Regional Policy Research Meeting will continue to serve as a policy cooperation platform based on mutual trust and exchange, and our institute will provide ongoing support to ensure the development of local governments in both countries."

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