지방자치와 주민참가 - 심의(숙의)민주주의형 시민참여를 중심으로 -

Resident participation becomes a part of due process in local government policy making. Absence of resident participation in the policy making raises concern on legitimacy and democracy of decision making in local government. Not enough with only a record of citizen involvement in setting up local policy, it gives prior attention to actual contribution of residents into the policy development. Increasing number of countries adopt resident participation, but still there is much too be done. This research paper specifically examines German example about local government’s policy administration and execution involving practical resident participation. Then it search for ways to implement the system in South Korea. Germany utilizes effectively resident referendum as a method for resident participation in important policy making. Resident referendum bases upon the principle of majority decision, but local council make sure minority group’s voice is heard. The local government also organizes participatory budgeting to meet limited finances and build partnership and cooperation with the residents through thorough understanding of local demand. Germany applies the residents’ opinion into local policies and help them be the main agent in the policy development at early stage of the developing process resulting in highly satisfactory policy and public facilities. Korean local administrators and residents have increased awareness of necessity and positive aspect of resident participation within local government. Although the local governments in Korea grew large in span of resident participation and its vitality, compared to advanced countries in respect to local governance, quality and span of resident participation in Korean local government needs more development. Consensus conference such as deliberative democratic resident participation, German’s participatory budgeting, resident referendum or citizen jury system would be plausible resident participatory plan in self-governing administration of South Korea. These methods would be utilized in many different aspects from city planning, traffic policy to environmental policy.