nterpretation of citizens' experiences on public policy participation through grounded theory methodology: An example of the Local Community Innovation Plan in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

This paper analyzes the experiences of citizens' participation in public policy participation through grounded theory for the Local Community Innovation Plan in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul as a case. “The discovery of regional problems and the desire to contribute to the region” was analyzed in a causal condition. The contextual condition appeared “strengthening the authority of citizen and strengthening resident initiative”. The combination of causal and contextual conditions has emerged as a central phenomenon of "resolution of regional problems and expectations for regional change". The moderating condition, which is the condition that mitigates or changes the influence on the central phenomenon, was derived as "confusion of identity about the role of the person". As an action/interaction strategy for the mediating condition of “identity confusion about one’s role,” it was found that they responded through “self-esteem and a sense of achievement in public activities”. “Growth of participating citizens and strengthening local problem-solving capacity” was derived as a result of the public policy participation process. The policy implications through the analysis of the experience of participating citizens on the process of public policy participation are as follows.,First, it is necessary to diversify participation methods and opportunities such as expansion of open recruitment, and to strengthen the promotion of participation through various promotional media such as homepage, banner, poster, and text sending. Second, it is necessary to experience the results of participation and to establish a system in which the results of participation are reflected in policies and systems. Third, it is necessary to activate citizen participation that can be deliberated and publicized in the process of citizen participation. Fourth, it is necessary to design the process of public policy participation as a place of social learning for citizens.