Noting the absence of an efficient conflict management system in spite of the ever-increasing friction with local citizens over the various projects and policies for the development of local area, this study is focusing on finding out ways to improve the capabilities of local government in managing conflict. Especially, it suggests the necessity to build an institutional system efficiently tackling public conflict that local governments might come across while making and implementing policies after analyzing the development and facets of conflict and effort to entangle it in the case of Gangneung Gujeong Golf Club. This study uses the method of conflict impact assessment and the result of analysis is as follows.
First, Korean society and local governments have a negative view over conflict. At the early stage of conflict involving Gangneung Gujeong Golf Club most institutes showed lukewarm response to the effort of local residents who have been trying to solve the matter by proposing the necessity. That is because public servants tend to avoid conflict spiraling into social issues. Looking into the response of local governments over the conflict in the public sector, we easily find out they excise public power and depend on negotiation and conciliation skills of a local celebrity even without noticing the gravity of conflict. The development of participatory democracy causes citizens to participate in the policy making process and the appearance of various stake holders make public conflict more complicated and hard to resolve. Local governments have no will to systematically manage and resolve conflict in professional ways, which result from the lack of awareness of local governments over conflict itself. So it is necessary to raise the consciousness of the public servants via conflict education. Face to face and on-line education by professional institutes and special lectures can be implemented and incentives for those who finish it with success will further promote active participation.
Second, most local governments have not set up public conflict management system. Gangwon-do and Gangneung-si feel the limit because it has no specific provisions and organizations over its management. Relevant laws and organizations are prerequisite to it, which is one of the reasons that local governments pay less attention to conflict resolution. The regulations over prevention and resolution of conflict in public institutions are legally binding just for central administrative institutions, not for local authorities.
Not equipped with appropriate legal ground, local governments cannot take the lead to settle it. Thus, the settlement between local governments and residents needs not only an urgent enactment of a relevant law but an establishment of acts on the part of local authorities for the efficient conflict management.
Third, local governmentsf ability to coordinate conflict mediation effort falls short in solving public conflict. Looking into the conflict mediation process of Gangneung Gujeong Golf Club, it was Gangneung city council and public-private meeting that coordinated and mediated the conflict. But, Gangneung city council meeting was short of social consensus and had no legality. The public-private meeting engaged in investigating what has happened before the ruling rather than mediating and took on a political tint of fulfilling the governor's platform. To increase conflict mediation capability, both nurturing experts and developing efficient methods are needed. It is necessary to come up with an efficient dispute management system by ushering in part-time outside experts and leveling up the public servants' knowledge. As a method for conflict management, ADR(Alternative Dispute Resolution) of the USA has been introduced. ADR proposes more efficient resolutions for dispute, not through lawsuit or demonstration. Mediation, the core of ADR, helps both parties find themselves in a win-win situation through dialogue. Mediators try to provide a custom fit solution and solve problems through professional ways, leaving the final decision up to each party. While the previous ways were through mediation by a third party excluding stake holders, ADR is a way adopted by advanced countries that parties interested participate in a resolution process and make a final decision under the guidance of experts.
Finally, recognizing the magnitude of social loss in the course of disputes, local governments should focus more on establishing relevant acts and organizations before enacting a law for better dispute management.