• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.65-76
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• 2014

This paper analyzes whether local public expenditures have converged during the 1985-2011 periods in Korea, using the sixteen metropolitan and provincial governments data. We analyze the convergence of per capita real local public expenditures in terms of both static view and dynamic view of convergence. Furthermore, we derive the estimating equation for per capita real local government expenditure growth function from theoretical model based on Skidmore et al.(2004)[23]. The main results from empirical analyses are such that an increase in aged people helped local government expenditures increase. Also, we found that the convergence speed of economic expenditure is greater than that of social welfare expenditure. Similarly the convergence speed of public capital expenditure is greater than that of public consumption expenditure. In the future we had better examine the convergence of local public goods taking into account their congestion rates.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.1-17
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• 1991

While various fiscal measures have been used to influence regional capital inflow or industrial location, the effect of fiscal variables on labor mobility has been little understood. Understanding the relationship between the composition of local public and urban migration would enhance the city govenment's ability to pursue an appropriate population policy. In order to examine the potential for local public finance to be utilized as a policy tool in directing urban population growth, this paper analyzes the impact of local government financial structure on urban migration. In examining the data on local government finance and the changes in population of Korean cities during the last ten years, it was found that cities with high per capita expenditure in regional development have experienced high population growth rates. In this study migration equations were constructed using various fiscal variables such as the proportion of special account expenditures which are mostly spent for local development purposes, per capita regional development expenditure, degree of local financial independence and per capita net fiscal benefit, along with other explanatory variables. The results of regression analysis showed that city government's regional development expenditure variables have a positive effect on urban net migration and a negative effect on outmigration. Fiscal independence and per capita net fiscal benefit had mixed effects on in and out migration variables, implying that local tax burden does not consistently deter inmigration or induce outmigration. Based on the results of this study some important policy implications can be found regarding local government's fiscal policies. Those cities seeking to attract higher population inflow should make a greater effort in appropriating local expenditures for regional development purposes such as infrastructure, housing, and transportation. city governments should not be too concerned about high local tax burden or necessarily seek to enhance financial independence for these factors do not exert a clear influence on urban population growth or labor supply.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2013

Objectives: We examined the association between social expenditures of the local government and the mortality level in Korea, 2004 to 2010. Methods: We used social expenditure data of 230 local governments during 2004 to 2010 from the Social Expenditure Database prepared by the Korean Institute for Health and Social Affairs. Fixed effect panel data regression analysis was adopted to look for associations between social expenditures and age-standardized mortality and the premature death index. Results: Social expenditures of local governments per capita was not significantly associated with standardized mortality but was associated with the premature death index (decline of 1.0 [for males] and 0.5 [for females] for each expenditure of 100 000 Korean won, i.e., approximately 100 US dollar). As an index of the voluntary effort of local governments, the self-managed project ratio was associated with a decline in the standardized mortality in females (decline of 0.4 for each increase of 1%). The share of health care was not significant. Conclusions: There were associations between social expenditures of the local government and the mortality level in Korea. In particular, social expenditures per capita were significantly associated with a decline in premature death. However, the voluntary efforts of local governments were not significantly related to the decline in premature death.