CRI

 [ABSTRACT]

Recently, local governments are seeking various measures to strengthen their capabilities due to population decline caused by low birth rates and aging population and changes in global climate environment. The purpose of this study is to derive what is the autonomy capacity of local governments in the era of local autonomy and how it can be strengthened to secure administrative accountability.

First, local governments need to make efforts to strengthen their capabilities, which should always be a priority. In order to improve the performance of public officials, local governments need to control various stakeholders, such as civil society groups and the media.

Second, it would be desirable to design the professional position system to select professional positions within the range of 10% of the quota, centering on positions that require expertise in the relevant field. This is because the expansion of the professional position system can not only enhance the expertise of a field but also contribute to strengthening the capabilities of local governments.

Third, Article 1 of Act on Public Sector Audit stipulates that "basic matters concerning the composition and operation of self-audit organizations of central administrative agencies, local governments, and public institutions and matters necessary for the establishment of an efficient audit system." Chungcheongbuk-do needs to establish and operate a consensus audit committee to secure accountability and improve performance of the public sector, and to support users to make correct judgments.

Fourth, local government officials have problem-solving capabilities. Problem-solving capabilities require the development of individual capabilities to understand and continuously strive to solve problems that do not have immediate and clear solutions.

Fifth, the local autonomy system requires the capacity of local councils to fulfill the principle of checks and balances. Currently, local council policy support officers should introduce 'one policy advisor per council member' to support legislative activities.

Sixth, in the digital age due to the activation of generative AI such as the 4th industrial revolution and ChartGPT, it is essential for public servants to have digital competencies.

To this end, the Chungcheongbuk-do Autonomous Training Institute needs to continuously strengthen public officials’ digital capabilities through new educational training methods that are different from the past. Therefore, local governments need to consider what capabilities and qualities public sector human resources need to have to solve various problems, and how future generations can prepare and develop such capabilities.