Students from the KDI School of Public Policy and Management and the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University participated in a comprehensive field study at Sejong City Hall today. This visit was a vital part of the joint course Public Finance, Public Policy, and Democratic Governance. The field study allowed future policy leaders to observe the practical application of fiscal management and urban planning within South Korea’s administrative capital.

A Collaborative Global Learning Experience 

This joint course is the first partnership between KDI School and Indiana University. It brings together a diverse group of students specializing in public management, urban governance, and international development. The curriculum treats public finance not merely as a technical process of resource allocation but as an essential tool for achieving democratic governance and national policy goals. By pairing students from both institutions, the program encourages a cross-cultural exchange of ideas regarding how local governments can drive economic development and social welfare.

The day began with a warm welcome from Lee Seung-won, the Vice Mayor for Economy. He described Sejong as a city representing the future of South Korea. He explained that the city was established to alleviate the extreme concentration of resources in Seoul and is now on a path to becoming the nation’s next capital. Following the welcome, Seong Gi-min, the Future Capital Team Leader, presented Sejong’s vision as a future strategic city. He detailed how the city utilizes digital twin technology and data to solve complex urban issues and highlighted its progress toward becoming a leader in autonomous driving and drone technology.

The highlight of the visit was an extensive Q&A session where students challenged officials on the complexities of managing a rapidly growing new city. Park Chun-gyoo, the Policy Team Leader, addressed the mental and financial burdens of education that discourage young couples from having children. He explained that Sejong follows a philosophy where "everyone becomes special," focusing on diverse student talents rather than rigid academic rankings. To reduce stress, the city implements free semesters for career exploration and collaborates with nearby research institutes in Daedeok to provide science camps and musical theater experiences for youth. 

The discussion on financial sustainability was led by Woo Dong-yeon, the Fiscal Management Team Leader, and Jeong Seong-mo, the Budget Team Leader. They revealed that Sejong’s fiscal self-sufficiency is approximately 50 percent, with the remainder covered by central government support. They emphasized that long term stability depends on attracting companies to expand the corporate tax base and maintaining steady housing construction to stabilize local tax revenues. Ko Myeong-nam, the Tax Policy Team Leader, elaborated on these strategies, noting that the city is actively seeking a larger share of national taxes to fund its expanding infrastructure.

Hyunji Kim from KDI School asked how the city utilizes the Special Account for Local Autonomy to foster a sense of community among residents who moved from across the country. This unique system allows residents to propose and manage their own budget projects, ensuring that the city's growth is led by its citizens. The officials also addressed the issue of administrative efficiency, arguing that government ministries should remain clustered in Sejong rather than being dispersed to other regions for political reasons, as clustering facilitates essential communication and cooperation.

When Caelyb Sides from Indiana University asked about the qualities of an excellent policy professional, the leadership team emphasized the importance of public interest and sound judgment. They advised students to become "managers of processes" who can listen to diverse stakeholders and possess the analytical skills to choose the most rational alternatives among competing policy options.

The experience provided students with a practical understanding of the intersection between finance and democracy.