The Korea Local Administration Review

This study described the emerging process of local governance and explored the possibility of its institutionalization on the Cheongju International Airport case. At first, the effective operation of the Cheongju International Airport was framed as a practical problem which central government could solve. But central government failed to solve the problem effectively. And then the problem was framed as a political problem of Chungbuk local society. And interlocked with political events such as the presidential election, the nature of the problem was changed to the Chungcheong region's problem. In the process of the nature of the problem, the central governments' role was decreasing gradually. But relatively the role of local governments and civil soiety organizations were increasing in the problem solving. Especially, Cheongju International Airport Vitalization Committee, which was organized with civil society organizations in Chungbuk local society, performed a catalytic function for structuring collaboration between three metropolitan govenrments - Chungcheongbukdo, Chungcheongnamdo, and Daejeon City. This local governance was not designed by central or local government's intention, but was emerging naturally through mutual adjustment between local governments, civil society organizations, and various interest groups etc. And thinking the local governance's legitimacy and contribution in the problem solving, there is a possibility that it could be institutionalized.