This paper puts an in-depth study on the reality of the residents' autonomy council, which was introduced in 1999, and its current status, which has not been settled and vitalized. For this purpose, this study examines how the residents' autonomy council, which is a neighborhood participation system, has been changed and caused problems during the last 20 years and diagnoses the causes of the problems through a survey and tries to investigate characteristics of implication in designing and establishing a system for the resident autonomy council. This paper analyzed factors in the residents' autonomy council that were not noted in the prior study and includes persons related to the residents' autonomy council excluded from the prior investigation.
A wide range of perceptions of various groups, including local assembly members related to the residents' autonomy council, were identified. The result reveals that the responses of the persons related to residents' autonomy council have made several significant differences. Overall, there were numerous negative responses from ordinary residents and young people. Matters to be improved in the operation of residents' autonomy council represent the characteristics of each resident. Members of the residents' autonomy council pointed out the lack of status as a representative body of residents and financial resources. Public officials thought the low participation rate of residents was the most problematic issue, and the members of the residents' autonomy council chose the lack of expertise of members.
In contrast, ordinary residents chose the lack of expertise of the residents' autonomy council members and the clarification of functions. Members of the residents' autonomy council and officials at eup, myeon, dong administrative districts recognized the status of members as local representatives, while other groups recognized them as volunteers for the region. It could be a reason why the professional score of members is low. In addition, the result of interviews reveals substantial problems which members would feel in the field. There are problems such as confusion experienced during trials, harmony among members, the effectiveness of education conducted by the executive department, and the burden of organizing and expanding the residents' autonomous council on public officials at si, gun, and automous gu and eup myeon, dong administrative districts.
According to a perception survey of ordinary residents, most of them are not interested in the residents' autonomy council, but they think that the council would help implement establishing the resident autonomy council. The questionnaires on residents' participation reveal that they are not aware of residents' autonomy council or town council with lack of publicity or explanation. In this context, they responded in an unfavorable agreement. When they were asked for negative reasons, they chose a reason with no time. It does not mean that they are not willing to participate at all. Participation in other resident organizations or cultural programs provided by eup, myeon, and dong administrative districts shows significant differences affecting all questionnaires on residents' autonomy council and regional development. It implies that the experience of participation has shown a positive effect on residents' autonomy council. The significant differences in response by age reveal that young people have great indifference and negative perception.