1. Study Objectives and Method

▮ Research objective
￮ In 2022, 18 years after the Yongdam Lake Water Quality Improvement and Maintenance Agreement was concluded, an evaluation of resident participation governance was required. To this end, this study attempted to analyze the characteristics of participants who constituted the 'Resident Council for Yongdam Lake Water Quality Improvement', a participatory governance entity. The findings of this study seek to provide an opportunity to further develop governance based on a detailed analysis of its participants.

▮ Research methods
￮ The object of this study is the ‘Resident Council for Yongdam Lake Water Quality Improvement’, which is a key entity of the self-management agreement. For comparison, a survey was also conducted on an urban participation-oriented governance organization in Jeonju-si.
￮ This study analyzed the theoretical discussion of governance; the current status of self-management; and a number of preceding cases via literature review. Furthermore, in order to identify the factors influencing successful self-management, an interview was conducted with the person who first presented the idea of this water quality improvement self-management agreement. In addition, after the survey, hierarchical regression analysis was implemented to identify the communication and social capital of participants of the governance.

2. Conclusion and Policy Suggestion
▮ The effect of communication on social capital
￮ Among communications, the number of conversations were shown to have a positive effect on neighborhood intimacy and community participation. The use of media by the resident council also had a positive effect on community participation. Through this analysis, it was partially verified that communication contributes to enhancing social capital. In particular, the number of conversations has been proven to be a major variable with a positive effect on social capital.

▮ The effect of social capital on governance assessment
￮ In both groups, community trust and community participation among social capital was shown to have a positive effect on joint decision-making and joint project implementation. The positive effect of trust in the community on joint decision-making based on governance was verified in the governance of Jeonju-si, together with the positive effect of community participation on the implementation of joint projects revealed in the resident council. In contrast, neighborhood intimacy did not affect the variables of governance evaluation, such as those of joint decision-making, interdependence, and joint project implementation. Overall, the more trust in the region and the greater the social participation, the more positive the evaluation of governance as a result.

▮ Formation of a council at a basin-level for Yongdam Dam
￮ Water quality management of Yongdam Dam requires the participation of all local governments and residents within the central region. Currently, however, only Jinan-gun is operating a resident council, resulting in the limited promotion of continuous and effective cooperation for the improvement of water quality. In the current situation whereby the Ministry of Environment manages non-point pollution through non-structural measures such as governance, participation of all local governments and residents in the Yongdam Dam basin is requested. Therefore, the current 'Resident Council for Yongdam Lake Water Quality Improvement' should be expanded to allow for a broader participation of all local governments in the region. To this end, it is proposed that a council should be formed at a basin-level for Yongdam Dam.

▮ Multi-layered governance structure centered on small streams
￮ Continuous water quality management of Yongdam Lake cannot be guaranteed only with the participation of specific counties and organizations. For permanent water quality management and improvement, it is necessary to expand the evaluation target and strengthen mutual connectivity. In addition, the self-management system should be changed from the administrative unit to the small stream unit. Governances should be established and operated for each small stream, and should be interconnected across multiple layers.

▮ Establishment of a master plan for self-management of Yongdam Lake water quality 

￮ In order to achieve and maintain the target water quality for Yongdam Lake, each basin should take charge of its own management. However, in reality, plans are being established by each local government or institution, and in particular, the outcome of resident participation is not reflected in the planning stage. As a result, governance activities cannot be performed in consideration of the relative characteristics of each small stream. Water quality improvement of Yongdam Lake through self-management is a goal jointly promoted by Jeollabuk-do, Jinan-gun, Muju-gun, and Jangsu-gun; as such, a comprehensive approach is therefore required. To this end, a master plan for the self-management of Yongdam Lake’s water quality should be established to present specific objectives and guidelines for each governance.​