한국 지방자치단체의 아동정책시행을 위한 노력: 지자체의 시행과제와 예산을 중심으로 = Current efforts of the South Korean Local Governments to establish child-focused policy

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This present study aims to suggest strategies for local governments to institute child-focused policies that reflects the specific needs of the children. To this end we analyzed the contents of the local governments’ plans that are developed in accordance with the Second Cycle of the South Korean Child Policy Initiative, and assessed the current status of child related policies in each level of administrative units. First, we found that the number of child-related programs of local administrative units have grown in the past three years with notable variations across local governments. Secondly, the local governments’ budgets for child-related programs have shown a downward trend since the year 2020. Third, over the past three years, the average per-child budget of the local governments has also been declining. Lastly, we found that, while the local governments are increasing the number of their programs, the provincial governments are reducing their child-related programs. While the central government sets the direction of the South Korean national child-related policy, the local governments autonomously design their specific programs and deliver them. It is noted that the programs across the local governments are visibly different depending on their specific circumstances, namely the finances and the leadership. To establish and implement policies that address specific needs of the local residents and the direction of the nation at the same time, it is imperative to organically balance the roles of the central, provincial, and local governments.