On March 17, the Korea Research Institute for Local Administration (KRILA) held a policy seminar titled "The Role of the Government and Local Governments in Realizing a Basic Society" in the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Seoul.

The seminar was organized to explore policy directions for guaranteeing the basic livelihoods of citizens amid sweeping structural changes in society — including the rise of AI, low birthrates, an aging population, regional depopulation, and growing polarization — and to discuss the division of roles and cooperation between the central government and local governments in the process of realizing a Basic Society.

The event was co-hosted by the following members of the National Assembly: Kang Deuk-gu (Anyang Manan, Gyeonggi), Kim Moon-soo (Suncheon·Gwangyang·Gokseong·Gurye-gap, South Jeolla), Kim Sung-hoe (Goyang-gap, Gyeonggi), Kim Woo-young (Eunpyeong-eul, Seoul), Kim Han-gyu (Jeju City-eul, Jeju), Park Joo-min (Eunpyeong-gap, Seoul), Park Chan-dae (Yeonsu-gap, Incheon), Baek Hye-ryeon (Suwon-eul, Gyeonggi), Seo Young-seok (Bucheon-gap, Gyeonggi), So Byeong-hun (Gwangju-gap, Gyeonggi), Song Jae-bong (Cheongwon, Cheongju, North Chungcheong), Yeom Tae-young (Suwon-mu, Gyeonggi), Yun Jong-gun (Anseong, Gyeonggi), Lee Geon-tae (Bucheon-byeong, Gyeonggi), Lee Jae-gang (Uijeongbu-eul, Gyeonggi), Lee Hun-gi (Namdong-eul, Incheon), Jo Gye-won (Yeosu-eul, South Jeolla), Jo Jeong-sik (Siheung-eul, Gyeonggi), Chu Mi-ae (Hanam-gap, Gyeonggi), and Han Jun-ho (Goyang-eul, Gyeonggi).

The program opened with welcoming remarks by Rep. Han Jun-ho, followed by a welcome address from KRILA President Yuk Dong-il, and congratulatory remarks from Kang Nam-hoon, Vice Chairman of the Basic Society Committee, and Seong Si-gyeong, President of the Korean Association for Public Administration.

Professor Emeritus Choi Heung-seok of Korea University then delivered a presentation on "The Necessity of a Basic Society and its Implementation Strategy," followed by a presentation by KRILA Senior Research Fellow Ko Gyeong-hun on "The Role of Local Governments in Realizing a Basic Society."

A panel discussion involving experts from academia and research institutions followed, with a range of opinions offered on the policy direction and practical tasks related to Basic Society initiatives.

Rep. Han Jun-ho remarked that "the advancement of AI technology and structural changes in society have heightened the need for a new social safety net to guarantee the basic livelihoods of citizens," adding that "this is an important juncture for policy discussions on a Basic Society." He further stressed that "addressing structural challenges such as polarization and regional depopulation requires a clear definition of roles and cooperation between the central government and local governments," and that "a collaborative policy framework — in which the center establishes the institutional foundation while local governments implement policy on the ground where residents live — is essential."

In his welcome address, KRILA President Yuk stated that "a Basic Society is more than a policy slogan; it is a vital challenge of our times, pointing the way forward for our society," and that "we are at a moment when serious policy reflection is needed on how to guarantee the basic livelihoods of citizens amid structural crises such as low birthrates, an aging population, and regional depopulation."

He added that "realizing a Basic Society requires not only the institutional foundation provided by the central government, but also the crucial role of local governments, which implement policy closest to where residents actually live," and that "real outcomes can only be achieved when the center and localities collaborate in designing and executing policy."

KRILA has announced that it will continue, as a policy research institute bridging central and local government, to pursue research on decentralization, balanced growth, and resident-centered, locally driven administrative innovation, while offering effective policy alternatives in a changing policy environment.

About the Korea Research Institute for Local Administration (KRILA)

Established in 1984, KRILA is a policy research institution that leads the development of national policy tasks related to local autonomy and the formulation of policies and systems, while providing vision, advisory services, management diagnostics, and consulting to local governments. As a pivotal institution advancing local self-governance, KRILA has contributed to the development of local administrative governance in Korea through extensive research, and plays a central role in building the academic foundation for decentralization and balanced regional development.

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(Press Release translated by AI, edited by David Kendall)