Korea’s Development Cooperation Management Architecture

To ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the grant aid programs that used to be carried out by multiple government ministries, the Korean government in April 1991 established KOICA under the MOFA as a unified grant provider. Through the sharing of Korea’s development experiences and know-how with its partner countries, KOICA aims to fight global poverty and support sustainable socio-economic development in developing countries while at the same time strengthening Korea’s friendly relations with them. Setting health, education, governance, agriculture and rural development and technology, environment and energy as priority sectors, KOICA delivers grant-based programs through its development projects, Development Experience Exchange Program (DEEP), international volunteer and fellowship programs, emergency relief provision, multilateral cooperation, etc. As of 2021, KOICA's support amounts to around $636 million. At present KOICA operates 47 country offices around the globe.

KOICA is now serving as a development cooperation platform by entering into partnerships with a wide array of stakeholders, including government ministries, public institutions, civil society, business and academia. It is forging global networks through launching joint projects with UN development agencies to strengthen Korea’s national standing on the global stage.

KOICA is joining forces with the international community to contribute to the resolution of global challenges, including poverty, environment, population, epidemics and human rights. By developing and fostering individuals with global competitiveness and Indirectly helping Korean business explore overseas markets, KOICA is devoting efforts to create harmonious and symbiotic relations with partner countries.