This research project, "constructing theoretical base for Korean public administration and developing public innovation model through the research of Dasan Jung Yakyong's philosophy" seeks to understand Dasan's work and his suggestions to reform the g ...
This research project, "constructing theoretical base for Korean public administration and developing public innovation model through the research of Dasan Jung Yakyong's philosophy" seeks to understand Dasan's work and his suggestions to reform the government in the current context and to build and develop a conceptual model to reform the current public administrative behavior. This effort contributes to developing a Korean model for government reform that adapt to complex environment.
Since the 1980s the government reform movement which started in advanced countries in the west expands to the other part of the world. Korea is no exception. All administrations have raised their own version of government reform plans and put them in practice. However, reform plans based upon the tradition of advanced countries in the west usually came short in producing favorable results.
Limitations to the reform effort based upon institutions from the western countries call for the development of independent theories and practice which fit in our culture and institution. In response, Dasan Jung Yakyong(1782 - 1863), through his works, offers a theoretical underpinning and a practical direction for reforming the government. He is an author of 「Mokminsimseo」 and 「Kyungseyoopyo」 and published more than 500 books in the areas of politics, society, and economy. Analyzing his philosophy and re-interpreting his work at the current perspective would vastly contribute to building an independent theory of public administration and generating the theoretical background for government reform.
This research project is to categorize the core areas of government reform and extract the core value and lessons from Dasan's works, mainly 「Mokminsimseo」 and 「Kyungseyoopyo」. The philosophical core areas includes Dasan's views of human being, society, state, organization, being a civil servant, corruption, decision-making, welfare, and education. The core areas for government reform includes organizational management, human resource management, performance management, job training, knowledge management, risk management, emergency management, conflict management, citizen participation, local government system, inter-governmental relations, and land and tax management. Dasan's lessons may be well-behind the current standard, but are very advanced in his age, emphasizing democratic values and effectiveness in running the government.
This research project is to interpret Dasan's lessons and generate a list of propositions that can be applied in the current context. At the same time, these propositions are categorized into three groups: "ethics and responsibility," "reforming institutions," and "responsiveness." The three criteria is utilized as core areas for government reform and a starting points for modernizing Dasan's philosophy of public administration and government reform.