Activities | Park Ki-Gwan

Current Roles

CurrentPresident, Korean Research Institute of Fire and Disaster
CurrentAdviser and Chair of the Special Committee on AI Transformation (AX), Korean Association for Local Government Studies
CurrentPresident, Gangwon Association for Public AdministrationRe-elected continuously since 2015
CurrentPolicy Committee Member and Policy Adviser on Decentralization, Ministry of the Interior and Safety
CurrentChair, Proactive Administration Committee, Gangwon State
CurrentPolicy Adviser, Gangwon State
CurrentMember, Expert Advisory Panel, Gangwon State
CurrentEvaluator of Government Performance and Public Enterprises
CurrentAdvisory Professor, Korea Research Institute for Local Administration
CurrentMember, Wonju City AI Committee

Universities and Scholarly Associations

2026Acting President, Sangji UniversityTook office 15 April 2026; former
Vice President for Education and Research; Vice President for External Cooperation, Sangji University
Dean of Admissions and Public Relations; Dean of Student Support; Director of the International Exchange Center; Director of the Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Sangji University
January 2014 to December 2014Exchange Professor, Florida State University, United States
February 2021 to February 202225th President, Korean Association for Local Government Studies
Board Member, Korean Association for Public Administration; Chair of the Research Committee and the Special Committee on Local Councils, Korean Association for Local Government Studies
Vice President, Korean Association for Policy Analysis and Evaluation; Vice President, Seoul Association for Public Administration; Editorial Board Member, Korea Association for Governmental Studies
Board Member, Jibang Sidae, an incorporated association
17 October 2026Founding activities, Korean Society for Regional Disaster and SafetyFounding general assembly

National and Local Government

Member, Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development (Chair, Decentralization Subcommittee; Chair, Committee on Devolution and Special Provisions)
Member, Mid- and Long-Term Strategy Committee, Ministry of Economy and Finance (Regional Development)
Member, Special Committee on Balanced Regional Development, 20th Presidential Transition Committee
Member, Presidential Committee for Balanced National Development; Member, Special Committee on Local Autonomy and Decentralization
Policy Committee Member, Presidential Committee on Autonomy and Decentralization
Chair, Special Committee on Decentralization; Policy Adviser, Governors Association of the Republic of Korea
Vice Chair for Local Autonomy and Decentralization, Advisory Committee for the Local Era, Governors Association of the Republic of Korea
Evaluation Committee Member; Chair, Petition Review Committee; Member, Autonomy and Decentralization Committee; Performance Evaluation Committee Member; Local Administrative Innovation Evaluation Committee Member, Ministry of the Interior and Safety
Local Finance Diagnosis and Evaluation Committee Member, Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs
Regulatory Reform Committee Member, Office for Government Policy Coordination; Advisory Committee Member, Korea Forest Service
External Member, Delegated Budget Execution Review Committee, Northern Regional Office of Forest Service
Advisory Committee Member, Local Administrative Innovation Support Group; Customer Satisfaction (CS) Adviser and Performance Evaluation Committee Member, Gangwon Province
Municipal Policy Adviser, Performance Evaluation Committee Member, and Administrative Service Quality Evaluation Committee Member, Wonju City
Invited Professor, Central Officials Training Institute and local government officials training institutes
Examiner for the Higher Civil Service Examination, Legislative Examination, Foreign Service Examination, and local civil service examinations
Adviser to the Seoul Metropolitan Council, Gangwon Provincial Council, and Wonju City Council

Service in the Korean Association for Local Government Studies

14 February 202125th PresidentServed as the 25th President of the Korean Association for Local Government Studies
February 2020President-electSupported the association's operations during the 24th President's term
Executive Board Member; Editorial Board MemberExecutive Board Member; Journal Editorial Board Member
2019Chair, Research CommitteeChair of the Research Committee, Korean Association for Local Government Studies. Planned Central–Local Government Relations (in Korean), published by Daeyoung Munhwasa, recruited contributors, and coordinated publication; planned conferences and commissioned research on local autonomy, decentralization, and responses to population decline.
2018Chair, Special Committee on Local CouncilsChair of the Special Committee on Local Councils (Special Committee on Local Council Development), Korean Association for Local Government Studies. Planned New Perspectives on Local Councils (in Korean), published by Pakyoungsa, recruited contributors, and coordinated publication; revised criteria for evaluating outstanding local ordinances and developed award plans.
2026Chair, Special Committee on AI Transformation (AX)Current Chair, Special Committee on AI Transformation (AX), Korean Association for Local Government Studies
2012Outstanding Academic AwardOutstanding Academic Award, Korean Association for Local Government Studies (Best Paper Award, No. 2012-2)
5 November 2021Jeju DeclarationAnnounced the Jeju Declaration for the Advancement of Local Autonomy and Decentralization
2021Leading the Association During COVID-19Regular academic conferences, awards for outstanding local ordinances, and commissioned research
1 November 2021Congratulatory Address at the Local Autonomy and Decentralization Policy SeminarCongratulatory and welcoming remarks as association president at the Local Autonomy and Decentralization Policy Seminar marking the 30th anniversary of the restoration of local autonomy, hosted by the Presidential Committee on Autonomy and Decentralization and organized by the Korean Association for Local Government Studies
2021Greetings to Members2021 New Year's greetings, accompanied by his own poem New Year (in Korean), with the vision of an association devoted to research, an association of participation, and an association where everyone is happy; 2022 Year of the Tiger New Year's card
18 February 2022Merit Awards Presented in the President's NamePresented merit awards to the Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Council and other recipients
September 2021Advice on Presidential Election Pledge AgendasProvided advice on behalf of the association on the National Association of Mayors in Korea's 8 presidential election pledge agendas
2018-2024Participation in Research Commissioned to the AssociationPrincipal investigator or co-researcher on projects commissioned to the Korean Association for Local Government Studies, including the Seoul Metropolitan Council (2018), measures to implement independent personnel authority for the Association of Metropolitan and Provincial Council Chairs (2021), and strengthening the expertise of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council (2021)
2021Author of the chapter on the 7th Seoul Metropolitan Council, History of the Seoul Metropolitan Council (in Korean)"The Formation and Legislative Activities of the 7th Seoul Metropolitan Council"
22 February 2024 to 21 February 2025Chair of the Academic Award Committee, Korean Association for Local Government StudiesFormer
22 February 2024 to 21 February 2025Chair of the Jury, Local Autonomy Grand Prize, Korean Association for Local Government StudiesFormer

Milestones of Local Autonomy in Korea

1949Enactment of the Local Autonomy Act
1952First local council elections
1961Suspension of local self-government
1988Comprehensive revision of the Local Autonomy Act; founding of the Korean Association for Local Government Studies
1991Restoration of local councils
1995Nationwide simultaneous local elections
2021Comprehensive revision of the Local Autonomy Act
2022The comprehensively revised Local Autonomy Act takes effect

Talks, Presentations and Broadcasts

7 October 2026Establishing and Sustaining a Resident-Participatory Solar Dividend Scheme (Session 5 Chair) (in Korean)2026 East Coast Development Strategy Symposium, Lakai Sandpine Convention Center, Gangneung
18 September 2026Fire and Disaster Management: Public Administration Acts First, Faster and More Accurately with AI (in Korean)Presentation at the launch ceremony and first academic seminar of the Korean Research Institute of Fire and Disaster, Wonju City Hall
1 July 2026The Path Forward for Regional Universities in the Age of AI: A Development Strategy Based on SOS and 3 Engines (in Korean)Opening session of the Teaching Methods Workshop on Developing AI-Based Distance Education Content, Hotel Inter-Burgo Wonju
5 February 2026Developing and Applying an AI Administrative Hub Model for Local Government (in Korean)AX Special Committee session, Winter Conference of the Korean Association for Local Government Studies
22 December 2025Development Strategies for Large Cities of 500,000 People (Thematic Presentation 1) (in Korean)Wonju–Asan–Gumi–Jinju Joint Forum on Balanced Development in Local Autonomy; Small Conference Room 2, National Assembly Members' Office Building; hosted by the cities of Wonju, Asan, Gumi, and Jinju; organized by Kangwon Domin Ilbo
17 November 2025Strengthening Decentralization: Establishing Supraregional Governments through 5 Regional Hubs and 3 Special Self-Governing Provinces, and Fiscal Decentralization (The New Administration's Balanced Development Strategy and Administrative and Fiscal Decentralization) (in Korean)
7 November 2025Understanding Special City Status and Directions for Hwaseong's Development: A Future Shared with 1.06 Million Residents of Hwaseong Special City (in Korean)Hwaseong City; 40 minutes for the general public
30 October 2025Understanding Special City Status and Directions for Changwon's Development (in Korean)Changwon City; 40 minutes for the general public
1 September 2025Beyond Regional Imbalance: Decentralized Balanced Development through 5 Regional Hubs and 3 Special Self-Governing Provinces, and Wonju's Future Strategy (40-Minute Keynote Lecture) (in Korean)Wonju City; for residents and public officials
2025The Transition to a Decentralized State and Strengthening Local Autonomy (in Korean)Local Autonomy and Decentralization Forum
22 February 2023Testimony on the Bill for the Special Act on Local Autonomy, Decentralization, and Balanced Regional Development (in Korean)Legislative Public Hearing on an Integrated Bill for Decentralization and Balanced Development, 1st Bill Review Subcommittee of the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee; Committee Meeting Room 445, National Assembly Main Building
8 July 2021Chair of Session 1, Joint Academic Seminar Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Restoration of Local CouncilsJointly hosted by the National Assembly Research Service, Seoul Metropolitan Council, Korean Association for Local Government Studies, and Korea Research Institute for Local Administration
2021Appearance in 30 Years of Local Autonomy: A Nation Made by Its People, Episode 3, "The Government I Make" (in Korean)Broadcast
August 2020Amendment of the Local Autonomy Act and Local Councils (in Korean)Summer Conference of the Korean Association for Local Government Studies (conference proceedings)
Appearance in the SBS Sunday Special Documentary (in Korean)Broadcast

Presentation and Discussion Papers

Manuscripts written for presentations and panel discussions. Dates are those given on each manuscript.

November 2025Local Autonomy and the Transition to a Decentralized State (in Korean)
September 2025Local Autonomy and Regional Responses (in Korean)
June 2025Directions and Challenges for Decentralized Balanced Development Centered on 5 Regional Hubs and 3 Special Self-Governing Provinces (in Korean)
June 2025Decentralized Balanced Development in an Era of Population Decline: Directions and Tasks (in Korean)
14 April 2025Priorities for Decentralization to Enable Locally Led Growth (in Korean)Seminar on Achievements and Challenges of the Local Era
2025Global Population and Talent Policies and the Global Hallyu, Hansang, and Overseas Korean University (Presentation 2) (in Korean)
November 2024The Decline of Fishing Villages and Gangwon State's Responses (in Korean)
25 September 2024How Should We Approach Local Administrative System Reform? Cases from Japan, the United Kingdom, and France and Their Implications (Presentation 2) (in Korean)
24 August 2024The Role and Priorities of the Human Resources Development Institute in Training Public Servants for the Local Era (Gyeongbuk) (in Korean)Gyeongsangbuk-do Human Resources Development Institute
10 July 2024Discussion Paper on Establishing Basic Local Governments in Jeju (in Korean)
July 2024The Role of the Gyeongbuk Development Institute in Establishing a Successful Local Era (in Korean)Gyeongbuk Development Institute
7 June 2024Key-Theme Presentation at the Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development Workshop: Reflections on 2 Years of the Local Era and Decentralization Priorities (in Korean)Workshop of the Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development
June 2024The Transition to a Decentralized State: Gangwon State's Responses and Challenges (Chuncheon, Wonju, and Gangneung Lecture Series) (in Korean)Chuncheon, Wonju, and Gangneung
24 April 2024Daegu Talk Show Q&A: The Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development, Decentralization, and Citizens' Roles (in Korean)Daegu Talk Show
24 November 2023The Transition to a Decentralized State (Including the Roles and Directions of City and Provincial Committees for the Local Era) (in Korean)
24 October 2023Decentralized Balanced Development and Implementation Priorities (in Korean)
17 April 2023A Strong Nation Begins with Decentralization: The Vision for the Local Era and Priorities for Decentralization Policy (in Korean)
14 April 2023Recommendations for Establishing a Decentralized System of National Governance and Locally Led Balanced Development (Discussion Paper) (in Korean)
27 March 2023The New Administration's Balanced Regional Development Policy and Directions for Danyang County's Response (in Korean)Danyang County
2023Directions and Challenges of the Yoon Suk Yeol Administration's Policies on Local Autonomy, Decentralization, and Balanced Regional Development (in Korean)
2023The Role and Priorities of the Korea Research Institute for Local Administration in Establishing a Successful Local Era (in Korean)Anniversary seminar of the Korea Research Institute for Local Administration (proceedings)
28 December 2022The New Administration's Balanced Regional Development Policy and Wonju City's Strategic Use of National Policy Priorities (in Korean)
2 December 2022Allocation of the Local Extinction Response Fund and Measures for Improvement (Fiscal Policy Discussion) (in Korean)
24 November 2022Understanding Educational Autonomy (Special Lecture) (in Korean)
27 October 2022Achievements of Public Institution Relocation to the Regions and Future Policy Directions (Discussion Outline) (in Korean)
27 October 2022The New Administration's Balanced Regional Development Policy and Gangwon State's Challenges (in Korean)Balanced Development Information Cooperation Forum (Gangwon)
11 September 2022Discussion of Professor Lee Ki-woo's Presentation, Introducing Special Education Zones for Local Autonomy, Decentralization, and Balanced Development (in Korean)Jeju Forum
17 August 2022The Post–Fishing Village New Deal Pilot Project and Gangwon Province's Strategy: Attracting People with Ongoing Ties to Gangwon's Fishing Villages (Discussion) (in Korean)Fishing village session, 2022 East Coast Development Symposium
25 July 2022Responses to Questions for a Talk Show Format Event (in Korean)
14 July 2022Strategies for Locally Led Balanced Development through Local Autonomy and Decentralization (in Korean)Special seminar hosted by the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade
16 June 2022Discussion Paper on Gangwon State: Supplementing 23 Provisions of the Special Act, Special Provisions for Regulatory Easing, and a Proposal for a Gangwon Peace Economy Special Self-Governing Province (in Korean)
June 2022The Roles and Functions of Local Councils amid a Paradigm Shift in Local Autonomy and Decentralization (in Korean)Lecture at the Gangwon Human Resources Development Institute
2022Korea–Japan Discussion: Responses to Resident-Led Regional Regeneration by Yamato Satomi (Nara Prefectural University) and Strategies for Promoting Opportunity Development Zones by Dr. Lee Seo-hee (in Korean)2022 Korea-Japan Joint Seminar
13 December 2021Discussion Paper on Diversifying the Institutional Structure of Local Governments, Including the Introduction of a Council–Cabinet System (in Korean)
1 December 2021Revitalizing Residents' Councils: A Focus on Residents' Self-Governance in Gangwon Province (in Korean)
29 October 2021The Moon Jae-in Administration's Achievements and Challenges in Local Autonomy and Decentralization (in Korean)
6 September 2021Discussion of Presentations on Developing East Coast Estuaries as Ecotourism Resources and Responding to the Decline of Fishing Villages on Gangwon Province's East Coast (in Korean)
24 August 202130 Years of Local Autonomy: The State of Local Politics and Its Challenges (in Korean)Wonju Academy
8 June 2021Local Councils during a Paradigm Shift in Local Autonomy and Decentralization (in Korean)Special lecture on council affairs at the University of Seoul
4 June 2021Understanding the Local Autonomy Act, Regional Responses, and Future Challenges for Local Councils (in Korean)Special lecture for the Wonju City Council
June 2021Operating Policy Support Staff for Local Councils (in Korean)
11 May 2021Achievements and Future Challenges in the Era of Local Autonomy and Decentralization 2.0 (in Korean)Special lecture in the Chuncheon area
26 April 2021Understanding the Autonomous Police System in the Era of Local Autonomy and Decentralization (in Korean)
24 March 2021Local Responses and Priorities in the Era of Local Autonomy and Decentralization (in Korean)
October 2019Outcomes and Implications of the Code of Conduct for Local Council Members (in Korean)Korean Association for Local Government Studies
30 May 2019Developing Local Councils in the Era of Local Autonomy and Decentralization: A Focus on Decentralization and Council Capacity (in Korean)Special lecture for the Wonju City Council
2019Decentralization and Local Government Response Strategies (Special Lecture) (in Korean)
1 February 2008The Roles and Responsibilities of Community Representatives in the Era of Local Autonomy (in Korean)Materials for a special lecture in Hoengseong
Building Consensus on a Gangwon Peace Special Self-Governing Province (Discussion Paper) (in Korean)
30 Years of Local Autonomy: Significance and Challenges (in Korean)

Interviews

2022Concerns That Local Elections May Be Overshadowed in a Year of Both Presidential and Local Elections (in Korean)MBC
June 2025Written responses to an Expert Roundtable for a feature marking 30 years of elected local government (8 common questions)Yonhap News Agency
10 September 2025In Conversation with Professor Park Ki-Gwan: Local Councils and the Path to Meaningful Autonomy (in Korean)
25 June 202630 Years of Local Autonomy: Institutional Improvements and Directions for the 9th Term of Elected Local Government (in Korean)Yonhap News Agency (Reporter Kang Tae-hyun)

17 Courses Taught

Decentralization and Balanced DevelopmentLocal Government StudiesUrban AdministrationLocal Council StudiesBureaucratic InstitutionsComparative Public AdministrationPublic AdministrationExploring Local Communities (General Education)Legislatures and Public AdministrationIntroduction to Public AdministrationConstitutional Law for Civil ServantsLocal Autonomy and Public AdministrationOffice Management for Civil ServantsPublic Policy, Planning, Administrative Management, and Urban Policy (Undergraduate and Graduate)Organization and LeadershipLocal Autonomy, Local Councils, and Local Creating (Team-Taught)Understanding Cultural Administration (Ecological Cultural Administration within an Integrated Course)

Awards

2024Hongjo Order of Service MeritFor contributions to local self-government and balanced development
December 2017New Writer Award, Hyeondae Gyegan MunhakMade his literary debut with Dongjin River (in Korean)
2015Listed in Marquis Who's Who32nd Edition
2012Outstanding Academic Award, Korean Association for Local Government StudiesBest Paper Award
2007Minister's Award, Ministry of Government Administration and Home AffairsFor contributions to local administrative innovation
2007Gangwon Provincial Governor's AwardFor contributions to regional innovation
2000Minister's Award, Ministry of Government Administration and Home AffairsFor contributions to regional innovation
1999Minister's Award, Ministry of Government Administration and Home AffairsBest Paper Award
2008·2018·2020Best Faculty Award, Teaching Excellence Award, and Best Professor for Teaching, Sangji University