[K-ODA On-site in]④ "Let's Learn Korean Economic Growth"... A Country Studying Hard with Books Open

Kyrgyzstan's Top Leaders
Studying Korea's Economic Growth Model Diligently
From Aid Recipient to First-Time Aid Provider

"I have read many books and research results on Korea's economic growth. The top leaders of Kyrgyzstan also always keep books on Korea's economic growth on their desks and refer to them."

Kanat Abdrakhmanov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce, who met with the Korean press on the 10th of this month, said, "The diligence, cooperation, and progress of the Korean people are very impressive and inspire us."

In fact, Korea is the first country to transition from an official development assistance (ODA) recipient country to a donor country. After 1945, during post-war recovery and the devastation of the Korean War, the Republic of Korea was a poorest country relying on international aid for more than 40% of its national budget.

However, after 55 years, in 2000, Korea was removed from the list of recipient countries by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC). Ten years later, in 2010, Korea joined the OECD DAC and advanced to become a developed donor country. In just 60 years, Korea rose to the ranks of advanced donor countries supporting other poor and developing countries.

On the 10th, Kanat Abdrakhmanov, Deputy Minister of Economic and Commercial Affairs, during an interview with the press [Joint Press Corps of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bishkek)]

ODA Budget Increased by 20% from Previous Year to 4 Trillion Won... Accelerating as a 'Global Hub Nation'

The ODA budget supporting developing and poorest countries exceeded 3 trillion won last year, and 4 trillion won is planned to be spent this year. It accounts for 0.15% of the Gross National Income (GNI), representing a 2.4-fold increase compared to the development aid budget at the time of joining, ranking first in growth rate. Many developing and poor countries receiving Korea's grant aid want to adopt Korea's growth strategies that led to rapid development.

In particular, the Yoon Seok-yeol administration is once again emphasizing an 'ODA leap.' Based on 'value diplomacy' centered on freedom, human rights, and democracy, ODA is actively utilized as a key means to rise as a 'global hub nation.' In his budget speech last October, President Yoon said, "To fulfill our responsibilities and roles as a global leader nation, we have significantly expanded next year's ODA to 4.5 trillion won."

KOICA is also creating customized support programs for developing countries by referring to the short-, medium-, and long-term national development strategies of the respective governments. In the case of Kyrgyzstan, there is a one-year short-term action plan, a 'National Development Program' from 2021 to 2026, and a national development strategy with a target implementation year of 2040 starting from 2018. KOICA is aligning its support in areas such as environment, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, public administration, and health and sanitation accordingly.

Advanced Country Status in 60 Years... Want to Learn from Korea's Growth Case

On the 13th (local time), Indira Sharshenova, Deputy Minister of Digital Development of Kyrgyzstan (right), and Assel Kenenbayeva, Director of the Infocom Center, are conducting an interview. [Joint press corps of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bishkek)]

Recipient countries are responding positively to Korea's customized support for developing countries. The demand to learn the 'Korean-style growth model' is also increasing. Erinishi Toltoyev, Deputy Governor of Osh, said, "I visited Korea in 2015 through the Saemaul Undong program. Now, we are following the path Korea once took. I believe that with gradual effort, we too will become a prosperous country like Korea. We want to expand cooperation in various fields, including rural development."

Begimai Toktorbayeva, Director of the Department of Economy and Commerce, explained, "Each country has different characteristics of grant aid, but Korea has provided us with much help in innovation, digital fields, and capacity building. In particular, they invested in rural development based on the 'Saemaul Undong,' and it has produced many results." Indira Sharshebnova, Deputy Minister of Digital Development, said, "I want to learn Korea's miracle and create Kyrgyzstan's miracle as well." Deputy Minister Indira added, "Korean society is very diligent. It is responsible, sets goals, and does its best to achieve them, which is admirable. I hope the Kyrgyz people learn a lot from this."

On the 13th (local time), Mirlan Tsunbayev, President of the National University of Technology, is conducting an interview. [Joint Press Corps of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bishkek)]

On the 12th (local time), Erinish Toltoyev, Deputy Governor of Osh, Kyrgyzstan, is being interviewed by the Korean press in Sari-Kamush village, Kara-Kaljagun, Osh. [Joint Press Corps of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Osh)]

As the scale and system of grant aid have become more systematized, the demands of recipient countries have also diversified. Mirlan Tsunbayev, President of Kyrgyzstan National Technical University, expressed a desire to increase exchanges related to the 'digital technology' field. President Mirlan said, "We are well aware of the electronic systems Korea has achieved over the past 10 to 25 years. Korea's case is exemplary. When educating programmers related to digital technology, we design and train them similarly to Korean standards."

Deputy Minister Kanan of the Department of Economy and Commerce said, "We are observing and learning how Korea manages, stores, supplies, and utilizes water resources. Since water is Kyrgyzstan's most abundant resource, we expect to receive much help in resource management." He emphasized, "The greatest factor in Korea's economic growth is its people. I hope many public officials visit Korea to learn, and that cooperation in new technologies, investment attraction, and bilateral business communities will expand."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.