CRI

 [ABSTRACT]

Building on previous studies that analyzed the network structure among the 28 cities and counties of the Central Inland Linked Development Region, this study examines the inflow of movements into these 28 local governments from a nationwide network perspective. The objective is to derive policy implications for the future direction of network development in the Central Inland Linked Development Region.

The analysis utilizes origin–destination (OD) data derived from navigation services (T-map), and applies Social Network Analysis (SNA) as the primary analytical method.

The results reveal several notable characteristics. First, the sphere of influence of the Central Inland Linked Development Region is extensive at the national scale, with particularly strong connectivity to the Seoul Metropolitan Area. 

Second, among cities and counties not formally included in the Central Inland Linked Development Region, some exert a significant influence on the region’s internal cities and counties. Third, the national-scale network structure of the Central Inland Linked Development Region is composed of five distinct clusters.

These findings provide important policy implications for both the current conditions and future development of the Central Inland Linked evelopment 

Region. At present, although the region is spatially defined around Chungcheongbuk-do and its adjacent cities and counties, the density of internal 

network connections remains relatively weak when viewed from a national-scale perspective. While relationships among core cities such as Daejeon, Sejong, and Cheongju are comparatively strong, linkages with cities and counties in the Seoul Metropolitan Area also function as substantive and operational networks. In contrast, for smaller cities and counties, clustering with regions such as Gangwon, Daegu–Gyeongbuk, and Honam is in some cases stronger than clustering within the Central Inland region itself. Overall, the Central Inland Linked Development Region can be diagnosed as having a relatively weak and underdeveloped network-based regional identity.

From a policy perspective, strengthening interregional cooperation within the Central Inland Linked Development Region requires improvements in the following areas. First, it is necessary to reconsider strategies for regional cooperation by explicitly acknowledging and leveraging the existing axis of connectivity with the Seoul Metropolitan Area. Second, discussions regarding the adjustment or redefinition of the spatial scope of the Central Inland Linked Development Region are warranted.