How have local councils evolved?
The principle of representative local autonomy based on democratic ideals was declared in the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, which was enacted and proclaimed on July 17, 1948. This principle was institutionalized in the Local Autonomy Act (Law No. 32), which took effect on August 15, 1948, establishing the framework for local self-government.
However, due to the outbreak of the Korean War (1950–1953), local councils could not be organized until May 1952, when the first nationwide local council elections were held, forming city, town, township, and provincial councils. These councils functioned until they were dissolved following the May 16 military coup in 1961, which led to the suspension of local autonomy.
After numerous amendments, including nine revisions of the Local Autonomy Act, and many years of delay, local autonomy was revived for the first time in 30 years when local self-government was finally restored in 1991. Elections for city, county, and autonomous district council members were held on March 26, 1991. Elections for provincial and metropolitan council members followed on June 20, 1991. Since then, Korea has continued to strengthen resident-centered governance and foster the growth and development of local councils suited to each region’s unique characteristics.
