The Institutional Refining of the Agricultural Extension system After the Localization

농촌지도공무원 지방직 전환 이후 제도개선 과제

In January 1997, there was a change in agricultural extension system enrolling the provincial and county level extension personnel in local government. They were previously enrolled in central government. Even though the extension agents' status were secured, but there were some complaints from the extension personnels until now. The purpose of this study was to examine the possibility to improve the extension service after the change. Some of the tasks for improvements from the change were as follows; 1) Revision of the laws related to rural development to protect against side effects on the localization, 2) Revision of the provisions to interchange personnels between the central and local extension service, 3) Provisions for organizing county level agricultural extension committee, and 4) Central government's support for the personnel expenses of local extension agents. Though there were such several improvements, some extension personnel still raise objection to the change as following; (1) the right of personnel management mandated partially from the chief of local government to the chief of the extension office, (2) substantial raising of the extension agents' pay, and 3) promotion in rank of extension educators.