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The Practice and Development Strategy of the Multilateral Local Government Cooperation Networks in the East Sea Rim

이동형 1

1대구경북연구원

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This paper explores the development of multilateral cooperation networks of the local governments in East Sea Rim region, which were initiated in 1990s in order to develop local economies in the region. The multilateral networks including the Association of Northeast Asia Regional Governments (NEAR) and the Governors’ Conference of Local Governments in Northeast Asia were established for the institutionalization of cooperation among the regional local governments. Despite an initial high expectation, however, these networks haven’t been made a visible progress in the development of multilateral cooperation. Persistent real politics issues shaping Northeast Asian affairs including North Korean hostility, territorial disputes and conflict over the distortion of history among regional countries have hindered the local governments from moving toward a meaningful progress in institutionalized cooperation. Besides, the mixture of vulnerable industrial base and weak economic and financial structure of the local governments and their lack of capacity in actual implementation of the cooperative networks also contribute to the slow progress. By thoroughly reviewing current situation of the cooperation networks, this paper suggests several development strategies including the enhancement of mutual understanding among local governments, the exploration of cooperative agendas attracting the active participation of stakeholders (local governments, business interest, social groups), and the strengthening of linkages with other existing cooperation channels in the East Sea rim region.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.

This paper was written with support from the National Research Foundation of Korea.