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A Comparative Study of Participatory Budgeting in South Korea and the United States

Lecture in Korean

A Comparative Study of Participatory Budgeting in South Korea and the United States

Conceptual visualization of urban governance in Seoul and Los Angeles, representing the administrative core and civic engagement of both cities (Image generated by Gemini).

Dongwan Lim, Professor, Department of Public Policy, Dankook University


Thursday, May 28, 2026
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Bunche Hall, Rm 10383

This talk presents a comparative analysis of Participatory Budgeting (PB) in Seoul and Los Angeles, exploring how two global metropolises adapt democratic innovations to meet local needs.

The "Seoul Model" is characterized by high institutionalization and a strategic shift toward Accompanying the Vulnerable, providing high-impact social services for the elderly and disabled. In contrast, the "L.A. REPAIR" pilot program emphasizes reparative justice, empowering residents in historically underserved zones to vote directly on "software-based" community services like job training and mental health support.

By contrasting Seoul’s hardware-centric stability with LA’s software-centric equity focus, this presentation discusses the future of resilient urban governance. It addresses shared challenges such as participation fatigue and the efficacy gap, providing insights into building more inclusive urban democracies in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Special Instructions
Event is exclusive to CKS Visiting Scholars, graduate/undergraduate students, and faculty



Sponsor(s): Center for Korean Studies

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