It has not been long since the locally initiated regional promotion begun to take place in Korea. This paper overviews its development background and analyzes the various aspects of Regional Innovation Systems (RIS). Regional self-reliance has been suppressed due to the following: the extended national isolation followed by the chaotic conditions of the post war period and the long lasted monarchy under which people endured and sacrificed their living for strengthening the fragile national power. The high economic growth in 1970' s made people aware of the importance of regional self-reliance. Along with the industrialization, the pursuit of regional identity in the international community has become a prime concern. The former president, Mr. Noh Moohyun, an advocator of "Participatory Government", aimed to create RIS supported by the strengthened residents' promotional power. This RIS, currently expanding in many regions in Korea, is not necessarily realizing all the elements of endogenous development. However, it shows one of the clear future directions of self-reliant regional development in Korea and thus encourages the active participation of designers.