Just a few generations ago development aid from foreign countries came at a pivotal time
when Korea was rebuilding itself after the devastating Korean War.
Now... in its relatively new role as a developed country the government has ramped up its efforts
to help other nations.
Earlier this week the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented President Park Geun-hye
with its ambitious policy goal of expanding Korea’s ODA... or Official Development Aid.
To tell us more we are joined by Enna Park, Director-General of the Development Cooperation
Bureau at Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Welcome to the program.
Good to be here.
According to figures from your organization over the years Korea received 12 billion dollars
in aid assistance.
And some of it came when it was the only source of capital after the Korean War.
I believe you said this week that Korea has an obligation now to give back
to the world.
Can you tell us
how much money will go to ODA programs and about some of your
key projects?
Some have criticized large aid organizations like the World Bank and IMF for trapping nations
in cycles of debt after development loans.
And Korea itself worked to pay off its IMF loans early after the Asian Financial Crisis.
How is your office approaching this issue?
We've had many officials from developing nations come visit Korea to learn the magic behind
our country's spectacular growth.
How transferrable is
our development model?
What do you say to critics who say this money should be spent here in the country to help
our own poor?
As a newcomer to the world's donor club what will you be doing to enhance Korea's ODA bureau?
Thanks for joining us today.