지방정부의 국제협력 확대를 위한 국제관계대사 활성화 방안에 대한 연구

This study was initiated to analyze the current status and issues of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ “Ambassadors for International Relations” who support local governments’ international exchanges, and to discuss utilization and development plans. Recently, the demand for international cooperation, including international trade and overseas exchanges, has been increasing in many regions. This study aims to explore ways to effectively utilize Ambassadors for International Relations to expand local governments’ international cooperation. The study analyzes the problems that may arise in the appointment and operation of Ambassadors for International Relations and provides policy alternatives to address these issues, thereby contributing to the activation of local governments’ international cooperation. To this end, the concept and functions of Ambassadors for International Relations were first examined, and the operational status and issues of local governments’ Ambassadors for International Relations were analyzed. Interviews were conducted with 17 Ambassadors for International Relations from metropolitan cities and provinces to analyze the current status and issues in the areas of local governments’ internationalization, support for Ambassadors for International Relations, cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local governments, personnel management, and performance management. Based on this analysis, the study aims to derive success factors for the activation of Ambassadors for International Relations, such as increasing interest in international exchange tasks among local governments and heads of institutions, enhancing cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, improving the personnel exchange system for Ambassadors for International Relations, and realizing performance evaluations. The study seeks to provide policy implications and contribute to the successful promotion of local governments’ international cooperation.