Korea to push strategic grant aid in AI

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs holds the 12th Strategic Meeting on Grant Aid for Development Cooperation in Seoul on Jan. 21. / Courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday discussed plans to advance strategic and integrated grant aid aimed at strengthening global cooperation, with a focus on areas such as artificial intelligence and digital technologies.

The discussions took place at the 12th Strategic Meeting on Grant Aid for Development Cooperation, the highest-level consultative body overseeing non-repayable official development assistance (ODA). The meeting reviewed ways to enhance the effectiveness and coherence of Korea’s grant aid as part of broader efforts to diversify diplomacy and reinforce international solidarity.

Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-a said Korea’s current grant aid framework suffers from fragmentation, with multiple implementing agencies pursuing ODA projects independently. “This has undermined development effectiveness and made it difficult for Korea’s vision and achievements to stand out clearly in the international community,” she said.

To address these challenges, Kim stressed the need for strategic grant aid centered on Korea’s strengths—such as AI and digital technology, culture, climate, environment and energy, manufacturing, agriculture and health—where global development demand intersects with Korea’s capabilities.

Based on the “Grant Aid Integration and Innovation Plan” approved at the meeting, the ministry said it will establish a unified strategic objective system and a results management framework that reflect clear priorities, enabling more systematic management of grant aid projects throughout their entire lifecycle. The government also plans to leverage programs run by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to better mobilize public and private sector capacities.

The meeting also approved this year’s grant aid budget at about 28.435 trillion won, down 22.9% from 36.905 trillion won last year. The number of grant aid projects was set at 1,555, a decrease of 84 from the previous year, while the number of implementing agencies fell by four to 37.

Participants included officials from multiple ministries and agencies, such as the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, and the Export-Import Bank of Korea, reflecting the government’s push for a more coordinated approach to development cooperation.

ⓒ "젊은 파워, 모바일 넘버원 아시아투데이"