The capacities of local government in early response to Covid 19: Evidence from South Korea

Prior analyses of South Korea's Covid 19 response have often focused on the central government rather than local governments. This article analyses data from 200 local governments looking at the importance of local leaders and infrastructure in the early phases of the pandemic. Notably, the educational background of local leaders had an impact on the management of the crisis. These findings underscore the applicability of the upper echelons theory to South Korean local governments, demonstrating that the quality of leadership significantly impacts local performance. In times of crisis, the decisions made by local leaders are deeply intertwined with their personal capabilities.