연대의 관점에서 바라본 지역 간 격차 - 공화의 의미를 중심으로 -

Amid expectations of a decline in national capabilities across the board due to rapid population decline, various discussions are underway analyzing the phenomenon and its causes. However, the current situation is such that finding effective countermeasures or positive prospects is not easy. The scale of the issue is enormous, and the factors involved are numerous, making it difficult to grasp the actual circumstances and devise solutions. Here, we will focus on one of these issues: regional disparities. Regional disparities can be seen as both a cause and a consequence of the complex issue where population decline is the primary symptom. This makes it a crucial topic requiring all members to deliberate and consult together to secure the political community's existence and achieve prosperity, amidst concerns that the fundamental foundations of national life may collapse due to or in connection with this. Here, the value of solidarity is recognized as particularly important. Specifically, by focusing on the meaning of republicanism as a democratic republic—beyond the constitutionally mandated balanced development of all regions and the social welfare state principle—we can confirm the substantive significance of this perspective at the constitutional level. This is expected to provide the foundation and guidance for responding to the situation and charting the way forward.