INTERVIEW How Statistics Korea transformed itself from recipient to global leader
Lee Hyoung-il, commissioner of Statistics Korea / Courtesy of Statistics Korea
There are many ways to offer official development assistance (ODA) to another country, but not many people know that statistical know-how can be one of those ways.
Its effectiveness, has already been proven in Korea.
In the 1960s, Korea heavily relied on the shared expertise of foreign countries, as it lacked professionals and statistics infrastructure in the aftermath of the Korean War. This assistance led to the establishment of the first Statistics law in 1963, and helped the country conduct a national census for population and housing.
Subsequent efforts to develop its own statistical methods contributed to establish a series of Five-Year Economic Plans, helping it to achieve rapid socioeconomic development.
Now, the country is seeking to give back to the international community.
Statistics Korea's ODA projects began in 2012 with Mongolia and Vietnam and have gradually expanded to countries in Latin America and Africa. As of this year, it has implemented statistical ODA projects in a total of 12 countries, including the seven countries currently being supported.
"Korea's leading statistical brand, the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS), has been transplanted to several recipient countries," said Lee Hyoung-il, commissioner of Statistics Korea, in a recent interview with The Korea Times. "It gave birth to MONSIS in Mongolia, ASIS in Azerbaijan, and TANSIS in Tanzania, establishing a Korean-influenced Statistical Information System."
Helping to build statistical infrastructure like KOSIS is one of the three ODA methods provided by Statistics Korea. The institution also offers consulting tailored to the recipient country's statistical environment and works to strengthen human resource capabilities.
"We focus on ensuring that the assistance is not one-sided support, but rather provides sustainable infrastructure so that the recipients can become independent," Lee said.
The next step is to expand ODA initiatives to Africa, particularly in alignment with the upcoming Korea-Africa Summit, scheduled from June 4 to 5.
Urama Kevin Chika, vice president of African Development Bank Group, left, and Lee Hyoung-il, commissioner of Statistics Korea, sign an MOU to assist African countries using statistical data, in Busan, in this September 2023 photo. Courtesy of Statistics Korea
Lee noted that establishing a "Korean-style statistical information highway" in Africa is under consideration, with Ethiopia being the country of priority. This follows several MOUs signed with the African Development Bank (AfDB) last September and the Ethiopian Statistics Service this February.
If implemented, the initiative will include developing a comprehensive statistical system that encompasses data transmission and management, including sensitive data, and the development of visualization techniques to promote data utilization.
"Currently, ODA projects are being implemented in Tanzania and Tunisia, with plans to expand to other developing countries in Africa, such as Ethiopia and Senegal, in the future," Lee said.
"To regularly monitor and support the smooth implementation of agreements from the upcoming summit, we plan to establish and operate high-level consultative bodies such as the Korea-Africa meeting of heads of statistical offices," Lee added.
With such efforts bearing fruit on the international stage, Korea has secured the opportunity to host the World Statistical Congress of International Statistical Institute, often referred to as the Olympics for the statistics profession, here in 2027.
"We aim to share our 26 years of experience on the global stage. This event will undoubtedly contribute to advancing the field of statistics and the data industry," Lee said.
Seeking international cooperation can yield additional benefits beyond enhancing Korea's global presence. Various statistics obtained from other countries can help domestic companies pursue overseas expansion and increase exports, according to Lee.
To meet domestic companies' needs, Statistics Korea has operated an online platform where corporations can request specific statistical data. With recent MOUs signed with the UAE, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and Mongolia, the institution can now provide tailored statistical data from these countries to domestic corporations.
"Overseas statistics and data provision services have often lacked timeliness or have been scattered, making it difficult for export companies to find the necessary trade information promptly. We aim to assist export companies more effectively by providing customized and timely statistical and data services to meet their specific needs," Lee said.
Lee Hyoung-il, commissioner of Statistics Korea / Courtesy of Statistics Korea
Lee said there has been a surge in demand for cooperation from developing countries for Korea's advanced statistical innovation techniques.
To meet this demand and efficiently implement ODA projects, Statistics Korea plans to expand cooperation with international organizations such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the AfDB. These organizations are well-acquainted with the regional circumstances of each continent, making them ideal partners, rather than responding solely to the needs of individual countries.
"Statistics Korea is focusing on the national task of 'strengthening Korea's role as an advanced statistical nation in the international community,' and continuously reinforcing its leadership through bilateral and multilateral cooperation, as well as ODA projects," Lee said.
"Korea has achieved economic growth in such a short time, like a miracle, rising from the ashes of the Korean War. The country has quickly transformed itself from an ODA recipient to a contributor," Lee added.
Who is Lee Hyoung-il?
Lee is renowned as one of the foremost macroeconomic and policy experts among economic officials here, having served at the Ministry of Economy and Finance. He has held several key positions, including assistant vice minister.
As assistant vice minister, he led the development of the annual and mid-year economic policy direction for 2023, and is credited with outlining the framework for private sector-led economic revitalization envisioned by the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.
Lee was also inducted into the hall of fame after being selected three times as "role model supervisor," an award given annually by employees of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Born in 1971, he graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in economics and earned his Ph.D in economics at Texas A&M University in the U.S.