Congratulatory remarks

Park Dae-won
President of KOICA

By identifying the roots of Korean development, it will suggest ways that have enabled Korea to make what it is today.

Today, Korea’s nominal per capita GNP is approximately $20,000, and Korea has become the world’s 14th largest economy. The Republic of Korea became a member of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 1996 and joined its Development Assistance Committee in November, 2009.

Korea, once an international aid recipient, has now become an aid donor. Korea was the first case since OECD’s birth in 1961 that an OECD member transformed its status from recipient to donor. It will greatly contribute to enhancing Korea’s prestige around the Seoul G-20 meeting of the major economies, scheduled for November 2010.

The time has come for Korea to take its place in the world. In 1991, the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) was established to administer Korea’s aid to other countries. More controversially, Korea has also been participating in security and reconstruction efforts in the some of the world’s hotspots, such as Afghanistan, not forgetting that it was once a hot spot itself.

Kim Cae-one
Chairman of the National Research Council for Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences

In the old days, Korea was referred to as the “Land of the Morning Calm.” It was later called the “Hermit Kingdom.” Nowadays, Korea's morning is no longer calm. It is dynamic. By all indications, Korea is now positioned somewhere in between advanced countries and developing nations. Korea is often described as a middle power. It is now in a position to explore the way forward for helping the world's remaining developing countries.

In 2010, Seoul is particularly vibrant with tens of thousands of foreign delegates coming for the November G20 meeting. This conference is indeed timely and significant as it will discuss about how the Republic of Korea has done to achieve her rags to riches success.

The primary purpose of this conference is to share Korea's developmental skills and know-how with other late-comers. By identifying the roots of Korean development, it will suggest ways that have enabled Korea to make what it is today. It will also offer a visions of success and a road map for developing countries to follow in getting there, capitalizing on its firsthand experiences built in the course of achieving a thriving economy and dynamic democracy.

I believe that this conference will provide excellent opportunities for developing countries to assess their own ongoing development efforts by analyzing policy programs successfully implemented by Korea. I am confident that today’s conference will give invaluable lessons to policymakers in developing countries on what they will do to sustain their national development in the days to come.

I will hope that today’s conference will be useful and informative for participants in seeking solutions for successful nation-building. Once again, I extend my deepest gratitude and welcome to all the participants who are willing to devote their valuable time and intellectual energy to this conference, and I wish you all a very pleasant and productive experience.

Finally I would like to close my speech by expressing my sincere wishes for the success of the conference and to thank President Park Eung-kyuk and staffs of the Korea Institute of Public Administration which organized the conference.

Park Eung-kyuk
President of KIPA

Korea is often mentioned as a model country which has successfully caught two birds with one stone: a thriving economy and dynamic democracy. Korea has become an example of success among other developing countries. Unlike the other advanced nations, Korea has risen to a near-advanced country from abject poverty in the midst of scarce resources.

Today, Korea’s status in the international community has changed from an aid recipient to a donor. It has become an agenda-setter from a decades-long follower of agendas set by other advanced nations, by holding the G20 summit in Seoul in the coming November.

On the occasion of Seoul G20 Summit, this conference is designed to help developing countries learn Korea's developmental know-how and expertise. This is because Korea is a country with a unique development model.

Recently, growing numbers of policymakers in developing countries have been visiting Korea to learn of its expertise, not only in the economic sector but also in social, cultural, and political spheres.

This conference is significant in that it will not only focus on economic factors but also deal with social, cultural and political factors of Korean success and government’s role. This conference will no doubt serve to deepen a mutual understanding between Korea and other countries.

It is now an honor and privilege to declare officially open the conference on “Driving Force Behind Korean Success and Government’s Role” and wish you fruitful discussions.

Kim Hak-joon
Standing adviser of the Dong-A Ilbo

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War which took millions of lives. The three-year war completely devastated the country, leaving people in abject poverty.

However, today, Korea has emerged from the ashes of the war to a near advanced country. Korea is globally applauded for successfully joining the ranks of the world's top traders with its trade volume coming in at 10th place after a steady climb over the decades following the Korean War. Korea has become the first country whose status has changed from aid to donor. Furthermore,

Korea recently joined the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC).

Indeed, what Korea has achieved over the past 60 years is surprising in light of endless adversities it encountered. Korea is a tiny country in size of land, but it has become a giant in national power.

Today, we are gathered here not only to identify and discuss driving forces behind the Korean success, but also share them with other late-comers.

As many of you know, Korea has much owed to the international community in the progress of national development. Now is Korea’s turn to help others. Korea has become an example of success among other developing countries. Drawing upon Korea’s unique experience of rapid economic and social development, Korea can help other developing countries learn Korea's developmental know-how and expertise.

In November this year, Korea is to host the G20 Summit. As the G20 chair, Korea is ready to put development of developing countries on the agenda for this summit.