The Korea Local Administration Review

As the boundaries between nations become increasingly blurred in the global economic market, dependence on ports is growing. However, due to changing paradigms in the port industry, the economic effects on regional development are not the same as before, and instead, negative impacts from port locations are prolonging. It seems increasingly difficult to overlook the issue of port acceptance. This study raises the need for discussions on port acceptance and seeks to identify the policy issues and challenges that need to be considered to secure it. To achieve this, the study used survey results from residents of the hinterland city of Busan New Port. It confirmed that factors such as ‘interest and expectations regarding the port’, ‘trust in local and central governments’, and ‘governance and citizen participation’ statistically have a positive impact on port acceptance. Therefore, this study emphasizes the importance of building governance that enables sustainable ports through coexistence with cities, the role of local governments, and establishing a basis for ensuring citizen participation institutionally. It also proposes the enactment of special laws for supporting hinterland areas and residents, such as nuclear power plants and waste treatment facility.