Empowering K-ODA to Promote Global Democracy

Tae Kyoon Kim (Professor, Seoul National University) points out the problem of polarization in development cooperation arising from the growing use of official development assistance (ODA) to serve the donor's national interests. Kim emphasizes the necessity of strengthening development cooperation diplomacy that integrates democracy to enhance South Korea's global influence. He also argues that ODA strategy should be established based on the fact that multilateral democratic aid has shown the most significant impact in promoting democracy. In this context, he suggests the necessity of establishing relevant consortia and research environment to support responsible democratic aid based on South Korea's experiences of democratization.