Original
Connected Yet Distinct: The Evolution and Role of Korean Public Administration in Bridging Theory and Practice
Abstract
ABSTRACT Over the past seven decades, South Korea has developed a distinctive trajectory in its public administration (PA) through balancing the domains of research, education, and engagement with government. Our analysis shows that it embodies a connected yet distinct character, closely linked to Western administrative science and global PA scholarship, yet continually reshaped by Korea's bureaucratic culture, Confucian legacies, and pragmatic governance needs. To map this evolution systematically, we examine the entire Korean PA ecosystem by (1) analyzing 4447 scholarly articles published in four leading domestic and international journals over the past two decades, (2) reviewing PA curricula across Korean universities, and (3) tracing government‐funded research projects and faculty appointments to senior public positions over the same period. The findings suggest that the strong institutional linkages between research, education, and government have enhanced Korea's administrative capacity and responsiveness, while also highlighting the need for greater intellectual independence and theoretical inquiry.
中文
相互联系却又独树一帜：韩国公共行政在连接理论与实践中的演进与作用
摘要
摘要 过去七十年来，韩国通过平衡研究、教育与政府互动等领域，在公共行政（PA）方面形成了独特的发展轨迹。我们的分析表明，其呈现出一种相互联系却又独树一帜的特征：一方面与西方行政科学及全球公共行政学术紧密相连，另一方面又不断受到韩国官僚文化、儒家遗产和务实治理需求的重塑。为系统描绘这一演进，我们考察了整个韩国公共行政生态系统，具体包括：（1）分析过去二十年间发表于四本国内外领先期刊的4447篇学术论文；（2）检视韩国各大学的公共行政课程设置；（3）追溯同期政府资助的研究项目以及教师被任命至高级公共职位的情况。研究发现，研究、教育与政府之间紧密的制度联系增强了韩国的行政能力与回应性，同时也凸显出对更大知识自主性和理论探究的需求。
关键词
韩国公共行政、公共行政生态系统、研究—教育—政府联系、行政能力、儒家遗产、理论与实践、知识自主性、理论探究