History of Korea's International Development Cooperation

The Establishment of KOICA
The Republic of Korea (hereafter "Korea") was once one of the poorest countries in the world to receive aid after World War II. However, less than half a century, the size of Korea's economy expanded to the level of middle income countries. This led to a recognition that Korea needs to play a larger role in international community, befitting its rising national status.

Eventually, on the first day of April in 1991, KOICA was founded as a government agency responsible for Korea's grant aid system.

Upon the foundation of KOICA in 1991, it overtook the overseas volunteer programs which had been overseen by the Korean National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The KOICA Fellowship Program is one of main activities to support partner countries secure human resources by sharing important technical skills and knowledge as well as building capacities for their sustainable development.

Policymakers, public officials, technical staff members, etc of partner countries are invited to Korea.

Through KOICA, Korea has been committed to enhancing the effectiveness of development programs by collaborating with businesses, civil society organizations and universities.

Korea has deployed disaster relief teams and cooperated with international institutions in cases of natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, tsunami and flooding as well as man-made disasters such as civil wars and conflicts.

Korea supports partner countries in cooperation with other international organizations such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the World Health Organization (WHO), etc.

For the following efforts, on 25 November, 2009, the OECD DAC (Development Assistance Committee) welcomed Korea as its 24th member, meaning that Korea officially transformed its status from one of recipient countries to one of donor countries.

In 2009, the Korean government consolidated overseas volunteer programs provided by different government agencies into a single brand. This government initiative gave birth to 'World Friends Korea' (WFK). Currently, it is operating a wide range of volunteer programs to engage from high school graduates to retirees.

More information on the World Friends Korea website

World Friends Korea volunteers provide services related to about 50 fields including education, public health, administrative systems, rural village development, industry and energy, etc.

In regard to global health, Korea has been striving to provide quality health care services and to ensure universal health for residents in developing countries.

With foreign assistance, Korea could study with new textbooks and in formally established schools. Today, Korea aims to increase access to quality education for children and youth in crisis.

Based on Korea's experience of rapid growth, KOICA strives to improve the administrative capacity and the social and economic systems of partner countries.

More than half of the world's population live under non-democratic governments. It is thus important to support free elections by establishing fair electoral and voting system and increasing transparency through the improvement of audit capacity.

Korea has invested in the conservation of natural resources and the ecosystem against climate change, in the improvement of food production and supply system, in the extension of agricultural technique, etc.

Korea also tackles a massive number of water-related issues in developing countries by enhancing access to safe drinking water and sanitation services.