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The purpose of this study is to introduce the theory of economic base and methods of its measurment, and to apply them to analyze the functions of Korean cities. Ⅰ. Economic base theory 1) This theory is to inquire into the economic interdependence between city and other regions, considering economic dichotomy of city. To be more particular, economic activities of cities are divied into nonbasic activity based upon demand of city dwellers and basic activity. To export goods and service from a city to other regions is basic activity of the city. Spacial relationship among city and neighboring community can be studied by the measuring of basic activity. This theory has contributed to the study of land economics, urban geography and urban functional classification, because it is useful framework inquiring into the spacial relationship. 2) Traditional methods of functional classification ignores the spacial relationship between city and other regions, and they are only concerned with types of service classification by industrial structure. 3) Some scholars criticize the economic base theory on the following points. First, they disagree with the view that basic activity is the fundamental factors in community development, and nonbasic activity is depent on the basic activity. Second, they reject the theory in that ratio of basic activity to nonbasic is flexible in proportion on the area circumsribed. Third, they are against the ambiguity of criteria in classification basic and nonbasic and nonbasic activity. 4) There are various ways to measure the basic activity. We can, however, summerize these methods as follows: (1) Macrocosmic method (2) Sales-employment conversion method (3) Import method (4) Minimum requirement method In this study, I used the minimum requirement method originated from Ullman and Dacey. 2. Functional classification of cities in Korea. 1) Data used in this study were ratios of the respective industrial employment forces described in the Korean Municipal Yearbook(1966). I confined my study to 30 cities. 2) First of all cities were divided into four group; cities between 50,000 and 100,000 population, cities between 100,000 and 200,000 population, cities between 200,000 and 1,000,000 population and that have more than 1,000,000 population. Percentage of population employed in each industry was calculated and then minimum value f ratio of each industry was counted in each of these four groups. Applying equation of regression curve y=b+a log x, parameter a and b were counted using population size of cities and m.r ratio. Substituting the number of population in a given city for X, we get y. Y equals the ration of nonbasic activity. From this, ratios of basic activity were counted out. 3) By this process mentioned above, I was able to ascertain the characteristics of Korean cities. Basic activities of Korean cities are complex one, and they are more characterized by the primary industry than secondary industry. 4) I classified the pattern of the industrial functions of cities as follows. Counting standard deviation, basic functions were divided into standard function (A) and peculiar function (B), a city that peculiar function confined to one urban characteristic industry was named single function was named complex type city (C). When the peculiar functions of one city are those related with agriculture, forestry and fishery, this is rural type city (R). A city that manifests no peculiar function is non-peculiar city (N). 5) By these criteria Korean cities were classified with four types. 9 cities of 30 cities studied here belongs to single functional types. All of 9 cities show personal and public service industry. 7 cities are complex functional types. Manufacturing industry can be said to be typical one in these cities. In a rural type city, the people still have characteristics of rural type. And this type of cities have area and sparsely populated district. In the cities of non-peculiar functional type, ratios of basic activities among various industry are harmonized one.
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