COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE IN SOUTH KOREA: CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN POLICY MAKING AND WELFARE SERVICE PROVISION

Abstract

This article considers the theoretical significance of collaborative governance and analyzes its empirical examples in South Korea. In most industrialized democracies, collaborative governance is considered crucial to strengthening democracy and augmenting welfare. South Korean governments since 1987 have emphasized collaboration by implementing citizen participation in policy making and the provision of welfare services. As examples of citizen participation in policy making, the article examines direct democracy devices, participatory budgeting, the citizen jury system, and honorary auditors. As examples of collaborative welfare, the article reviews the Food Bank and Hope Start programs and the Local Councils on Social Welfare. The author concludes that the current government's relative inattention to collaborative governance should be rectified.