From a recipient to a donor state: Achievements and challenges of korea’s oda

Abstract

In becoming one of the 24 OECD-DAC member countries in 2010, Korea has successfully transformed itself from an aid-receiving country to a donor country. However, despite its increasing roles and responsibilities, Korea as a donor has underperformed in the area of international development assistance. Applying principles and guidelines set forth by the OECD-DAC, this paper examines what Korea achieved during the period from 1987 to 2008 and what Korea needs to improve in the future. By looking at longitudinal data on Korea’s official development assistance (ODA) activities and a cross-sectional comparison of Korea with other major donor countries, this paper argues that Korea has neither complied with agreed-upon international norms of humanitarian-oriented aid, nor fulfilled the OECD-DAC guidelines. To increase aid effectiveness, this paper suggests that Korea clearly manifest goals of ODA, increase its net volume of ODA, alter its aid portfolios, strengthen the efficacy of the development cooperation system, and enhance the institutional capacity of aid agencies. © 2010, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.