In this research, the process of transition of fiscal reform policies of the Republic of Korea was categorized and analyzed based on the characteristics of each period after its independence in 1945. This study has conducted systematic analysis and re...
In this research, the process of transition of fiscal reform policies of the Republic of Korea was categorized and analyzed based on the characteristics of each period after its independence in 1945. This study has conducted systematic analysis and research on the transition of fiscal reform policies in the process of fiscal reform. In fiscal reforms, the focus and directions have changed according to stages of national development and given circumstances. To understand the directions of fiscal reforms and the flow of transition in fiscal systems, an analysis of such changes is essential. Recently, fiscal reform has been a key topic for discussion among OECD member countries, and in Korea, fiscal reform initiatives have been implemented in a systematic manner since the 2000s. In addition, fiscal reforms in OECD member countries and Korea present result-oriented characteristics and focus on the improvement of performance through public expenditure management.
Therefore, this study classified the history of Korea's fiscal reforms into 4 periods since its independence, and categorized them into 4 types by analyzing their primary characteristics. Each period presents the different types of fiscal reform, and this study analyzed the causes of difference among periods. As a result, the study has found that the type of fiscal reform is determined by the level of input control on public finance and attention on the outcome of public expenditure. Accordingly, it showed that control-oriented fiscal reform is caused by strong input control and less attention on outcome, and planning-oriented fiscal reform is caused by strong input control and attention on outcome. In addition, less input control and attention on outcome results in management-oriented fiscal reform, and less input control and strong attention on outcome results in result-oriented fiscal reform. Analyzing factors that have influence on input control of public finance and attention to outcome, which determine types of fiscal reform, is important as well. In this study, it has been identified that the level of input control and attention on outcome is determined by five factors : national development strategy factor, fiscal factor, political factor, economic factor, and external factor that reflects international trends in fiscal reform. Accordingly, this research has drawn a conclusion that not a single factor, but comprehensive factors for national development should be considered in determining the type of fiscal reform.
Classification of periods, which determines the characteristics of fiscal reform, was made on the basis of precedent studies and 30 years of experience of the researcher. Period 1 is defined from 1945 to 1961 and referred to as the nation-building period when the nation has begun to develop the fiscal system, etc. Period 2, from 1962 to 1992, is the government-led period during which economic development plans were established and distribution of resources was mainly led by the nation. From 1993 to 2002, period 3 is classified as the private sector-transferred period in that more emphasis was put on the role of the private sector rather than the nation with the uprise of political democracy. Lastly, period 4, from 2003 to 2007, is referred to as the government-private coexistence period when the roles of government and the private sector have been balanced.
History of fiscal reform policies in Korea was systematically organized according to the period classification of fiscal reform as mentioned above. However, there was a limitation in collecting data due to lack of existing studies on fiscal reform policies and unsystematic management of data on government policies. For its systematization, conditions of fiscal reforms in each period were investigated, and changes of fiscal reform policies were organized in the aspect of organization of public finance, fiscal execution and system, public funds system, laws related to public finance, etc.
Types of fiscal reforms in each period were analyzed and categorized according to the control degree of budget input and outcome of public expenditure. The fiscal reform in period 1, the nation-building period, has a characteristic of control-oriented, which strongly controlled budget input and placed great attention on outcome of public expenditure. In this period, accounting responsibility of personnel in charge of public expenditure was especially emphasized, since fiscal control was a very important institutional mechanism in running urgent operations of the nation with a lack of resources. The main features of period 2, the government-led period, is planning-oriented fiscal reform, which presents strong input control and great attention on outcome. It is the period when the 5-year Economic Development Plans were established 6 times from 1962 to 1991, and imbalanced economic development policies were promoted through government-led distribution of resources with foreign loan, etc. Thus, great emphasis was put on effectiveness, i.e., the achievement level of goals. In period 3, the private sector-transferred period, fiscal reform was management-oriented with weak input control and less attention on outcome. As the capacity of the private sector enhanced, autonomy and creativity of the private sector were considered more important than in the government-led period. Furthermore, policies for promoting the private sector were implemented in accordance with democratization and globalization, and efficiency was stressed to ensure maximum outcome with minimum cost. Period 4, the nation-private coexistence period, shows result-oriented fiscal reform that had weak input control and great attention on outcome. In the process of readjusting the role of the government and private sectors during the nation-private coexistence period, outcome has gained importance, and efficiency and effectiveness were simultaneously emphasized.
Significance of this study lies in its first systematic analysis of the types of fiscal reforms based on the level of input control of public budget and attention on outcome, and investigation of characteristics of fiscal reform history in Korea through classification by periods. At the same time, it has identified that types of fiscal reforms shifted in accordance with the conditions of the respective periods. Regarding to policy implications, Korea needs to focus on securing fiscal sustainability in implementing future fiscal reforms as seen in other OECD member countries to correspond to the rapidly growing demand for increased public expenditure. In addition, establishing fiscal governance in terms of the relationship between the National Assembly and the administrative branch, and between the central government and local governments is an important issue to be considered. This research raised the issue for analysis on determinants of fiscal reform types, their cause and effect relations, etc. Therefore, additional microscopic studies on this issue are expected to be presented in the future.