Korea's ODA Policy for Fragile States in Asia

Abstract

Since the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in New York in September 2015, increased attention has been placed on fragile states, where most people live under the poverty line. Because the SDGs focus more on marginalized people, it will become necessary to address issues concerning fragile and conflict-affected countries. Eight out of fifty fragile states are located in Asia and 30% of the overall fragile state population is expected to reside in Asia. Thus, there is an urgent need for policy efforts to address problems regarding fragile states such as severe poverty and underdevelopment. Furthermore, five out of eight Asian fragile states are categorized as priority partner countries of Korea for 2016-2020. However, Korea's support to the fragile states has concentrated on emergency relief and humanitarian aid for recovery and reconstruction after conflicts or disasters. This is not enough to resolve fragilities and thus it is necessary to establish cooperation strategies to support fragile states.This paper provides policy implications on why and how Korea should prepare a cooperation strategy for supporting fragile states in Asia by analyzing and reviewing the definition and scope and current development situation, as well as Korea's policy and support for fragile states.