Have you ever imagined a city in Korea becoming like Hong Kong? Hong Kong has about 3,800 buildings including branch offices of foreign companies, local head offices, and banking facilities at one place, and its look is so splendid. However, what we must pay attention to is not the splendor of Hong Kong, but how it has been developed as it is. Hong Kong was returned from the UK to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, and has settled as the special administrative region. Hong Kong's government has been making constant efforts to attract foreign investment and competent work forces. Through its government's efforts and its people's positive help, Hong Kong could be ranked second after the U.S.A. in the national competitiveness rankings this year; it recorded the first among 15 countries in the Asia-Pacific region according to the report of International Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland, 2006.
Hong Kong which stands as the hub of finance and sightseeing in Northeast Asia is the envious object to Jeju where the tourist industry performs the key role in local development. Hong Kong also makes Jeju Special Self-Governing Province aspire to achieve such developments as it does, because Jeju has gained a positive foothold as a free international city by becoming the special self-governing province on July 1. 2006. Jeju, the first autonomous administrative framework in Korea, is able to enforce the independent administrative autonomy, establishing the new local government system. It is unprecedented that the local government has full administrative authority except for foreign relations, military decision and judicature. About these changes, some doubt whether the special autonomy will be successful in our country where decentralization has been delayed because of regional self-centeredness. On the other hand, others are confident that Jeju will be able to gain enormous benefits if it has autonomous rights at this point towards a free international city.
We should pay attention to the fact that the special autonomy has a meaning itself. Most people expect lots of assistance and financial help from the central government when the special self-governing province is enforced. However, Jeju must get financial bases by itself in order to accomplish the true aims of the special self-governing province. The ultimate goal of the system is to make Jeju a better place to live in, with stable financial bases. Thus, in the basic plans of the special self-governing province, Jeju benchmarks Hong Kong and Singapore which have been making successful special autonomous districts. In addition, Jeju will be developed as an ideal model of decentralization of power.
In oder to realize these basic plans of the special autonomous province, residents must have correct understanding about the changed local government system and constant interest about the present conditions of it. Even if the local authority makes and operates a good system, all things will be useless if the inhabitants don't recognize and understand it.
The Islander questioned 100 students at Cheju National University(CNU) to find out how much they are interested in the special self-governing province. As many as 82 students answered that they just knew the fact that Jeju Special Self-Governing Province was launched on July 1, but they don't know about it in detail. Only 20 percent of the students answered that they should know the importance of issues about the special self-governing province and get news about it continuously.
As mentioned above, we can see that students' interests in the special self-governing province is low. Yet, it is certain that if university students don't have concerns in the special self-governing province as members of local community and as leaders in the near future, nobody can guarantee the success of the special self-governing province.
Why Jeju changed its system into the special autonomy?
Jeju province has pursued reform and changes politically and economically through the special law on the development of Jeju in 1991 and the special law for Jeju International Free City in 2002. However, the result was not been as successful as we expected because it was not efficient to manage the policies of many fields, and few citizens had a positive attitude about the policies. Also, the common administrative policy in local areas was applied to Jeju with the other provinces under the governmental justification of the principle of equality in locals, not considering Jeju걱s own characteristic. This means that the government failed to notice the merit of Jeju which can jump to an international city by managing administration by itself like Hong Kong and Singapore. Besides, with the lack of the improvement in tourist resorts and systems in Jeju which can satisfy a lot of visitors, the income of tourism industry didn't cover the expenses because many tourists preferred to go to China where prices are low and there are lots of interesting tourist places. Accordingly, Jeju Province has recognized that it was very important to construct a differentiated and self administrative system. President Roh Moo-hyun also said that he thought of Jeju as a model province that could manage its administration by itself. Thus, Jeju has driven forward the plans of the Jeju special autonomy for some years, and eventually Jeju Special Self-Governing Province was launched on July 1, 2006.
We can explain why the special autonomy was carried out by an example of a relationship between a father and a son. Let's suppose that there is a father who wants his son to be a lawyer and a son who wants to be a designer. Neglecting what his son is good at and what the son's desires are, the demanding father will bring up the son just as he wants. The son will be controlled by the father, feeling that he grows up by the father's wishes, not by his dreams. The son may regret that he doesn't realize his dream when he grows up.
On the other hand, there is a generous father who considers his son's aptitude. Although the father desires his son to be a lawyer, he will raise his son as a designer if he seems to have a talent for design and wants to become a designer. As well, the father will raise the son as a man who can take responsibility on his behavior while letting the son do whatever he wants. Of the above two fathers, anyone clearly can see which father raises his son with wisdom.
The father means the central government, and the son means the Jeju local government. Under the previous centralized administrative system, the father is a master of his son, and controls the son걱s behavior, not considering his talent and aptitude. In Jeju's special autonomy system, a father allows his son to determine his life himself, considering the son's characteristics and aptitude. Of course, the father absolutely does not allow his son to decide everything although he respects the son's opinion. There would be still a lot of father's interference, which are in areas of diplomacy, defense, and judicature in Jeju special autonomy system. Therefore, Jeju is now in a better situation so that it can be advanced with its own characteristics. 
Jeju Special Self-Governing Province was launched
The changing parts as enforcing the special autonomy
The expansion of opportunity of the residents' participation
One of the big advantages of the special autonomy is the increase of opportunity which residents can get in most of the development works that Jeju special self-governing province promotes. Because Jeju has the right to make a budget by itself, not depending on the central government's budget plan, the residents also can participate in the process of making the compilation of a budget. Moreover, the residents will determine which development works will be promoted. In addition, the number of the representatives of residents will be increased from the current 19 to 44.
The operation of competitive organizations
Jeju Special Self-Governing Province is able to manage competitive organizations because it has the right to decide by itself various legislation, local finance and personnel affairs. Therefore, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province can manage the personnel affairs openly by getting out of existing inefficient bureaucracy and hire workers by holding their real ability in high esteem. Thus professionalism of civil servants will be strengthened by the operation of competitive organizations. However, before the implementation of the special autonomy, Jeju had to receive an approval from the central government to hire employees or to establish specialized organizations which are needed to carry out various policies and industrial plans. Furthermore, the process of getting an approval from the central government was not efficient and took a long time. However, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province was launched with unprecedentedly high level of autonomy. In addition, the autonomous police system has been introduced first in Jeju. The autonomous police will work for public security and welfare of the inhabitants of Jeju. It has been specially designed for Cheju as part of efforts to promote the government's stated goal of decentralization.
Constructing new image of tourism
Free movements of people, goods and capitals are essential in order to form a free market such as Hong Kong. Jeju plans to start non-stop flight routes between Jeju and foreign countries. Jeju is also considering reducing the number of countries that are restricted from the visa waiver system. When the Jeju Tourism Organization is established next year, it will be the main body of tourism industry of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, taking full charge of tourism affairs. Like this, there are plans to reduce the regulations for tourism businesses and to develop structured tourist systems. Jeju will become an advanced tourist attraction where people will want to visit again when we provide visitors with the participating tourism.
Operation of customized education for Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
Jeju will be able to carry out customized education that is suitable for the character of Jeju as residents directly elect a superintendent of educational affairs and members of the educational assembly. Jeju plans to provide foreigners with an opportunity to take lessons in Jeju, and establish international education circumstances such as a foreign school. The number of foreign teachers will be increased; the duty of foreign language education will be strengthened. There are also various plans to develop English and other foreign languages environments for residents in Jeju. Therefore, the inhabitants of Jeju will have many chances to be exposed to circumstances in which they can easily study foreign languages.
Building the integrated medical-tourism business
Thailand, Singapore and Shanghai in China have introduced medical technology from advanced countries and improved it. Furthermore, they have integrated their specialized industry with the medical technology, so many foreigners visit them and spend enormous amounts of money for medical treatments every year. These countries gain considerable economic effects from the integrated medical technology. By introducing advanced medical technology and training medical professionals, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province plans to establish a global medical center in Jeju. The medical center will be integrated with the tourism industry so that it can get the great economic effects like the above countries.
Fostering clean primary industry
Jeju will develop agricultural technology with high technology, such as Information Technology(IT) and Biology Technology(BT). Jeju is also planning to foster eco-friendly agribusiness because recently most people tend to prefer well-being products. Jeju will be able to raise consumers' confidence by branding clean products produced in Jeju.
Fostering the high technologies
Lately, a lot of countries around the world are interested in IT, BT and Environment Technology (ET) and endeavor to develop them. Jeju is not an exception. Jeju is carrying out a plan to put ubiquitous to practical use through development of IT, and provide many people with information easily and correctly. In the field of BT, various research institutes will be built, and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province is also putting lots of money into ET, making full use of the merits of the clean and natural environment of Jeju will be integrated with the tourism industry so that it can get the great economic effects like the above countries.
Fostering clean primary industry
Jeju will develop agricultural technology with high technology, such as Information Technology(IT) and Biology Technology(BT). Jeju is also planning to foster eco-friendly agribusiness because recently most people tend to prefer well-being products. Jeju will be able to raise consumers' confidence by branding clean products produced in Jeju.
Fostering the high technologies
Lately, a lot of countries around the world are interested in IT, BT and Environment Technology (ET) and endeavor to develop them. Jeju is not an exception. Jeju is carrying out a plan to put ubiquitous to practical use through development of IT, and provide many people with information easily and correctly. In the field of BT, various research institutes will be built, and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province is also putting lots of money into ET, making full use of the merits of the clean and natural environment of Jeju.
For the successful special autonomy
As mentioned earlier, Jeju special autonomy is a system that operates the region by the autonomous rights within a nation. Yet, a lot of authorities are still depending on the decision of the central government unlike the intention to delegate most authority to Jeju. In addition, Jeju reaches its limits because in legislation power, the extent of ordinance that the Jeju Province can make shouldn't be against the law, which is the superior concept. These problems have been mentioned before and after starting the special autonomous system, they are the task we should solve with continuous efforts. What do we need to do in order to exercise more authority and to have a special autonomous province?
First of all, residents of Jeju should have concerns about the special autonomy. Even if a local city has an excellent system, if the local people have no interests in it, its meaning and purpose will disappear. Moreover, we can't reach the goals that we want only with efforts of officers who work for the government, without the residents' interest. When the residents have correct understanding and interest in the special autonomous province, and the global mind matches with a free international city, we can accomplish the successful special autonomy.
Next, Jeju has to stably secure its finances. Jeju receives 3 percent of local subsidies by law and the special autonomy can ensure finance by itself through industries and businesses in the region. Yet, without concrete preparation, it may be difficult to meet the finance by itself. Moreover, at this point, Jeju would have frequent financial demands because of reorganization of its system and the promotion of various businesses. Accordingly, cooperation from the central government is a must for making new projects successful. The residents of Jeju as well as Jeju authorities will have to endeavor in order to get the central government's investment. Another way to secure the finance is that the residents pay more local taxes. However, most residents will be reluctant to do so. Therefore, it is very important to attract many companies for stable financial security. However, companies in Jeju surrounded by the sea will have a disadvantage in transporting products compared to other regions. Thus, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province should give incentives to companies which are moving to Jeju, and make a good work environment for them.
Finally, it is necessary to have systems which can support the special autonomous province. It would be an obstacle if there happens to be problems in legal part when Jeju promotes projects. Thus, Jeju should first closely examine what parts of legal deregulation and supplement are needed.
The special autonomy that was enacted on July 1, 2006 actually didn't start with a perfect preparation. Many things remain which we should have and achieve from now on. It is up to all of us what result we would have. We should constantly work on the development of ourselves. Nobody else can make Jeju a great place to live in, we should do that ourselves. It is time to think deeply about what you can do for the successful special autonomy.
HongKong & Singapore
Interview1
Lee Jung Hwan
Director of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Promoting Bureau
1. Jeju is empowered to decide on many issues, independent of the central government. What administrative affairs will Jeju be able to autonomously run and how many executive rights were ceded by the central government?
Jeju can autonomously manage and run its financial and administrative affairs, with the exception of defence, diplomacy and judicature. Jeju will set a plan and object of having autonomous authorities every three years and promote it gradually. Approximately 1,062 executive rights related to administrative affairs and laws will be transferred to Jeju from the central government by the end of next year.
2. What are the main industries Jeju Special Self-Governing Province is planning to promote?
The fields of tourism, medical care, education, clean industry and high technology will be the primary focus of development. Primary industries and tertiary industries are given more weight than other industries in Jeju. In connection with primary industries, Jeju plans to produce clean agricultural products and raise their value. Jeju also is planing to develop a medical tourism industry, in which visitors will be able to vacation while receiving specialized medical treatment.
3. Are there any laws related to universities in Jeju among the laws connected to special autonomy?
There are no relevant policies concerning universities as yet. However, Jeju authorities are making efforts to offer many jobs to university students. I think many university students are worrying about the number of public servants who will be employed because of the changed system of administration. Yet, we plan to keep the current number of public employees who would normally be hired.
4. What is that you hope to the residents?
When many authoritative rotes are transferred from the central government to a local province, residents' participation and interest in public affairs is critical for making the best use of their new power. I want to ask residents to show continuous concern and to participate in the decision making process.
Interview2
Jung Mim Gu
The Representative of the Jeju People's Solidarity for Autonomy
1. Forecasted problems in enforcing the special autonomy.
Relocation of Jeju's government officials was performed after the North Jeju County and South Jeju County were merged into Jeju City and Seogwipo City, respectively. Yet, it is in the initial phase of enacting the unified system that public servants are causing confusion in carrying out affairs. Citizens experience difficulty in solving public complaints. I think this problem won't be solved until the end of this year.
Jeju authorities sometimes decide and carry out a policy in a rush, the result of enforcing such policies will affect the residents after 5 or 10 years. If they hastily set and carry out policies without full discussion with the inhabitants, the residents will suffer in the end.
2. What is that you expect from the administrative organization.
They have to provide many ways in which the residents can participate in the administration. In theory, they say there are many opportunities in which the residents can participate, but actually they have difficulties in participating in the administration because of their busy lives. The administrative officers should guarantee the inhabitants' participation by ordinance and alleviate their concerns about the administration.
There are about 70 community groups in Jeju, but most people who belong to the committees tend towards one field and there are many cases in which one person belongs to several committees. The community groups should openly invite membership and try to inform many people of the work they're doing. This way they can increase the participation of citizens.
I think public servants have to raise their abilities through self-improvement and get rid of vested rights. Previously, when they decided to promote a business, they just informed the residents of their plans. However, now they must involve citizens in the decision-making process before enacting any business plans.