Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Act is to enhance the appropriateness of policies for international development cooperation and the efficiency of the implementation thereof, and effectively achieve the policy objectives of international development cooperation by providing for basic matters concerning international development cooperation, thus contributing to the co-prosperity of humanity and to world peace.
Article 2(Definitions) #
The definitions of terms used in this Act shall be as follows:
1. The term "international development cooperation" means concessional and non-concessional development cooperation directly or indirectly provided to developing countries (hereinafter referred to as "bilateral development cooperation") and multilateral development cooperation provided through international organizations by the State, local governments or public institutions for the development and welfare of developing countries;
2. The term "developing countries" means countries (including regions) eligible to receive official development assistance, which are determined by the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development;
3. The term "international organizations" means development-related international organizations (including non-governmental organizations) determined by the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development;
4. The term "grant aid" of bilateral development cooperation means cash grants, in-kind transfers, labor supply, and technical cooperation, etc. provided to developing countries with no accompanying obligation for repayment, including emergency disaster relief;
5. The term "loan" of bilateral development cooperation means cash grants, in-kind transfers, etc. to developing countries with an accompanying obligation for repayment under more favorable conditions than commercial conditions offered when they borrow funds in international capital markets, in terms of interest rates, the redemption period, the grace period, etc.;
6. The term "multilateral development cooperation" means international development cooperation indirectly provided to developing countries through contributions to or investments in international organizations, concessional loans, etc.;
7. The term "supervising agency" means central administrative agencies that oversee matters relevant to establishing policies and promoting projects and programs related to international development cooperation in areas under their respective jurisdiction pursuant to Article 12;
8. The term "implementing agency" means central administrative agencies, local governments and public institutions which implement projects and programs related to international development cooperation.
Article 3(Basic ideas and objectives) #
(1) The basic ideas of international development cooperation is to reduce poverty, improve the human rights of vulnerable people such as women, children, people with disabilities, and youth, achieve gender equality, and realize sustainable development and humanitarianism in developing countries; to promote economic cooperation relationship with developing countries; and to pursue peace and prosperity in the international community. <Amended on Apr. 8, 2025>
(2) The objectives of international development cooperation lie in achieving the following matters to pursue the basic ideas prescribed in paragraph (1):
1. Reduction of poverty and the improvement of the quality of life in developing countries;
2. Development of developing countries, and the improvement of the system and conditions for such development;
3. Promotion of amicable and cooperative relations and mutual exchanges with developing countries;
4. Contribution to resolving global problems related to international development cooperation;
5. Contribution to achieving internationally agreed goals related to sustainable development (referring to 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted at the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development in September 2015 and others);
6. Other matters deemed necessary for realizing the basic ideas prescribed in paragraph (1).
Article 4(Basic principles) #
(1) The State, local governments and other implementing agencies (hereinafter referred to as the "State, etc.") shall conduct projects and programs for international development cooperation by comprehensively considering the following principles and the foreign policies of the Republic of Korea:
1. Respect for all the principles of the Charter of the United Nations;
2. Support for the self-help efforts and abilities of developing countries;
3. Respect for the necessity of development of developing countries;
4. Increase in sharing of development experiences;
5. Mutual harmony with the international community and promotion of cooperation therewith.
(2) The State, etc. shall endeavor to strengthen the connection between bilateral development cooperation and multilateral development cooperation, as well as the connection between grant aid and loans, and implement policies for international development cooperation in a consistent manner, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of international development cooperation.
Article 5(Obligations of the state) #
(1) The State, etc. shall implement international development cooperation projects and programs, in consideration of the purpose prescribed in Article 1 and the basic ideas and objectives prescribed in Article 3.
(2) The State, etc. shall join a concerted effort of the international community to eradicate poverty in developing countries and promote sustainable development, and play an active role therefor.
(3) The State, etc. shall endeavor to improve the effectiveness of international development cooperation projects and programs by implementing them in a systematic manner in cooperation with related non-governmental organizations, etc.
(4) The State, etc. shall endeavor to enhance transparency in international development cooperation.
Article 6(Relationship to other statutes) #
(1) The enactment of or amendment to other statutes related to international development cooperation shall be in compliance with the purpose and basic ideas of this Act. <Amended on Apr. 8, 2025>
(2) Except as otherwise provided for in other statutes, this Act shall apply to international development cooperation. <Amended on Apr. 8, 2025>
Article 7(Committee for International Development Cooperation) #
(1) The Committee for International Development Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") shall be established under the control of the Prime Minister to coordinate, deliberate on and decide major matters so as to ensure the comprehensive and systematic implementation of plans, strategies and polices on international development cooperation.
(2) The Committee shall consist of up to 30 members, including one Chairperson. In such cases, in commissioning members, the Chairperson shall ensure that no particular gender exceeds 6/10 of the total number of members.
(3) The Prime Minister shall serve as the Chairperson of the Committee, and its members shall be the Minister of Economy and Finance, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the heads of central administrative agencies and related agencies or organizations determined by Presidential Decree, and persons commissioned by the Chairperson from among those with profound knowledge and experience.
(4) The Committee shall coordinate, deliberate on and decide the following matters:
1. Matters concerning establishing or amending a comprehensive strategy for international development cooperation referred to in Article 11;
2. Matters concerning establishing or amending a comprehensive implementation plan for international development cooperation referred to in Article 14;
3. Matters concerning selecting priority partner countries referred to in Article 15 and establishing mid-term assistance strategies for them;
4. Matters concerning evaluating international development cooperation prescribed in Article 16;
5. Matters concerning monitoring and supporting international development cooperation projects and programs referred to in Article 22;
6. Matters requiring coordination by the Government, among policies related to international development cooperation;
7. Other matters deemed important and referred by the Chairperson.
(5) The Working Committee for International Development Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as the "Working Committee") shall be established under the control of the Committee to discuss and coordinate, in advance, agenda items referred by the Committee, and handle matters delegated by the Committee.
Article 8(Dismissal of members) #
Where any member commissioned by the Chairperson under Article 7 (3), among the members of the Committee, falls under any of the following, the Chairperson may dismiss him or her: <Amended on Jan. 16, 2024>
1. Where he or she becomes unable to perform his or her duties for a long time due to an accident or physical or mental disease;
2. Where the member engages in misconduct in connection with his or her duties;
3. Where the member is deemed unsuitable to serve as a member due to neglecting a duty, losing dignity, or any other ground;
4. Where the member voluntarily admits that it is impracticable for him or her to perform his or her duties.
Article 9(Establishment of administrative organization) #
(1) An administrative organization may be established under the control of the Committee for the Committee's business handling and efficient operation.
(2) Necessary matters concerning the organization, business affairs, and operation of the administrative organization shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 10(Request for investigation and research) #
(1) The Committee may request an investigation or research from related institutions, organizations, experts, etc. where necessary for business performance of the Committee.
(2) Where the Committee requests an investigation or research pursuant to paragraph (1), it may provide necessary expenses within the budgetary limit.
Article 11(Formulation of comprehensive strategies for international development cooperation) #
(1) The Committee shall deliberate and decide on a comprehensive strategy for international development cooperation (hereinafter referred to as "comprehensive strategy") every five years in order to effectively promote international development cooperation.
(2) A comprehensive strategy shall contain each of the following matters:
1. Basic direction-setting for policies for international development cooperation;
2. Analysis of the domestic and overseas environment for international development cooperation;
3. Volume of international development cooperation and operating plans;
4. Plans to promote transparency in international development cooperation;
5. Direction-setting for implementation in each region and key area;
6. Strategies for promoting international development cooperation aimed at achieving the foreign policy goals of the Republic of Korea;
7. Basic direction-setting for supporting civil international development cooperation organizations and others referred to in Article 17;
8. Basic direction-setting for strengthening the capacity of institutions, organizations, etc. related to international development cooperation and fostering professional personnel prescribed in Article 19;
9. Other matters deemed necessary in relation to international development cooperation.
(3) Each supervising agency shall prepare a draft strategy for each area under its respective jurisdiction (hereinafter referred to as "draft area-specific strategy") every five years, and submit it to the Committee.
(4) The Committee shall coordinate and deliberate on a draft area-specific strategy, etc. submitted under paragraph (3), and shall determine and finalize a comprehensive strategy.
(5) Notwithstanding paragraph (4), matters deemed important by the Committee among those included in a draft area-specific strategy may be determined by the President after deliberation by the State Council.
(6) The Committee may amend a comprehensive strategy finalized under paragraphs (4) and (5) after the coordination, deliberation and decision by the Committee, where deemed necessary.
Article 12(Agencies supervising international development cooperation) #
(1) Loans, of bilateral development cooperation, shall be supervised by the Minister of Economy and Finance, and grant aid by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
(2) Of multilateral development cooperation, cooperation with international financial institutions under the Act on the Measures for the Admission to International Financial Institutions and the Green Climate Fund under the Green Climate Fund Operation Support Act shall be supervised by the Minister of Economy and Finance, and cooperation with other organizations by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Article 13(Roles and functions of agencies supervising international development cooperation) #
(1) Supervising agencies shall perform the following roles and functions:
1. Establishing policies and strategies for international development cooperation for each area under their respective jurisdiction;
2. Preparing draft area-specific strategies and draft area-specific implementation plans referred to in Article 14 (4), and submitting them to the Committee;
3. Deliberating on and coordinating international development cooperation projects and programs for areas under their respective jurisdiction;
4. Evaluating international development cooperation for areas under their respective jurisdiction as delegated by the Committee;
5. Monitoring the execution of comprehensive implementation plans for international development cooperation referred to in Article 14 (1);
6. Monitoring the process of and providing support for identifying, promoting, and evaluating international development cooperation projects and programs referred to in Article 22;
7. Publicity campaign for a comprehensive strategy for areas under their respective jurisdiction and a comprehensive implementation plan referred to in Article 14 (1);
8. Other roles and functions that the Committee deems necessary to assign.
(2) Supervising agencies shall assist individual implementing agencies to efficiently promote international development cooperation with expertise in areas under their jurisdiction.
(3) Supervising agencies may establish a development cooperation strategy meeting (hereinafter referred to as "strategy meeting") under their control in the area of their jurisdiction, in order to conduct their business affairs in a systematic, comprehensive and efficient manner.
(4) Necessary matters concerning the composition and operation of a strategy meeting shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 14(Formulation of comprehensive implementation plans for international development cooperation) #
(1) The Committee shall, annually and based on a comprehensive strategy, deliberate on, determine, and finalize a comprehensive implementation plan for international development cooperation which shall include implementation strategies, project and program plans, etc. for international development cooperation (hereinafter referred to as "comprehensive implementation plan").
(2) An implementing agency shall prepare a draft annual implementation plan for international development cooperation in conformity with a comprehensive strategy, and submit it to a supervising agency. In such cases, an implementing agency shall ensure that major matters deliberated on and coordinated by the relevant strategy meeting are reflected in a draft annual implementation plan for international development cooperation.
(3) A supervising agency may adjust a draft annual implementation plan for international development cooperation submitted by an implementing agency pursuant to paragraph (2) in consultation with the implementing agency if the draft annual implementation plan is inconsistent with a comprehensive strategy or if it is necessary to comprehensively, systematically and strategically promote international development cooperation. In such cases, the supervising agency shall adjust such draft plan to reflect major matters deliberated on and coordinated by its strategy meeting.
(4) Each supervising agency shall integrate and review a draft annual implementation plan for international development cooperation submitted pursuant to paragraph (2), formulate a draft implementation plan containing annual strategies for promoting international development cooperation for areas under its jurisdiction (hereinafter referred to as "draft area-specific implementation plan"), and submit it to the Committee.
(5) The Committee shall coordinate and deliberate on draft area-specific implementation plans submitted pursuant to paragraph (4), and determine a comprehensive implementation plan.
(6) The Minister of Economy and Finance shall respect a comprehensive implementation plan determined pursuant to paragraph (5) when formulating the budget bill for the following year.
(7) Where the following year's budget is determined by the National Assembly, the Committee shall reflect the budget on a comprehensive implementation plan and finalize it. In such cases, a supervising agency may request that the Committee reflect any matter changed after the decision of the comprehensive implementation plan under paragraph (5) on such plan.
Article 15(Selection of priority partner countries and establishment of strategies) #
(1) The Committee may select partner countries on which international development cooperation shall be focused (hereinafter referred to as "priority partner countries"), including the least developed countries designated by the United Nations, in consideration of a comprehensive strategy and in consultation with supervising agencies. In such cases, the Committee may request that supervising agencies submit materials necessary for selecting priority partner countries.
(2) The Committee shall require supervising agencies to prepare mid-term assistance strategy plans for priority partner countries, and coordinate and deliberate on them to finalize a mid-term assistance strategy.
(3) The Committee may decide to change priority partner countries selected pursuant to paragraph (1) if deemed necessary or requested by any supervising agency.
(4) Where there is a request from the competent standing committee of the National Assembly, a supervising agency shall present materials submitted to the Committee pursuant to the latter part of paragraph (1) to such standing committee, as prescribed by Presidential Decree; provided, in cases of information likely to harm the interests of the State if disclosed, being information related to diplomatic relations, such information may be submitted confidentially.
(5) Necessary matters concerning the selection of priority partner countries referred to in paragraph (1), the procedures for establishing med-term assistance strategies referred to in paragraph (2), and other relevant details shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 16(Evaluation of international development cooperation) #
(1) The Committee shall prepare guidelines on evaluating international development cooperation and evaluate related policies and projects and programs, so as to raise public awareness on the outcomes of international development cooperation projects and programs and enhance the transparency in implementing international development cooperation projects and programs.
(2) Each implementing agency shall formulate an annual self-evaluation plan according to the evaluation guidelines referred to in paragraph (1) and submit it to the Committee, and evaluate the outcomes and achievements of implementing projects and programs based on such plan and submit the results to the Committee; provided, the evaluation period may be adjusted for small-scale projects and programs, etc. specified in the evaluation guidelines referred to in paragraph (1).
(3) Each implementing agency may include external experts when evaluating the outcomes and achievements of the projects and programs under paragraph (2).
(4) The Committee shall consider the evaluation result of international development cooperation policies, and projects and programs prescribed in paragraph (1), and the results of self-evaluation prescribed in paragraph (2) when deliberating and deciding on the next comprehensive strategy and comprehensive implementation plan.
(5) The Committee shall make public the evaluation result of international development cooperation prescribed in paragraphs (1) and (2), and report the evaluation result prescribed in paragraph (1) to the National Assembly by June 30 each year.
(6) Where the Committee finds that an implementing agency has failed to conduct self-evaluation referred to in paragraph (2) or violated the evaluation guidelines referred to in paragraph (1), it may require such implementing agency to conduct the self-evaluation or to make necessary supplementation.
(7) Necessary matters concerning the standards, timing and methods of evaluation referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2), the reflection of evaluation results under paragraph (4), the disclosure of evaluation results and reporting to the National Assembly referred to in paragraph (5), and other relevant details shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 17(Support for civil international development cooperation organizations) #
(1) The State, etc. may provide, in consultation with supervising agencies, necessary support to civil international development cooperation organizations and their associations engaged in activities consistent with the basic ideas, objectives, etc. of international development cooperation under this Act.
(2) The State, etc. may attach appropriate conditions when providing support under paragraph (1) in an effort to improve the effectiveness of projects and programs.
Article 18(Publicity campaigns to encourage public participation) #
(1) The State, etc. shall devise and implement various measures to perform publicity campaigns and raise public awareness about international development cooperation, so as to secure public support for the necessity of international development cooperation and increase public participation in such endeavor.
(2) To increase public participation under paragraph (1), a supervising agency shall prepare and operate various programs in a comprehensive and systematic manner for the public to have an easier access in their daily lives.
(3) The State, etc. shall make public the direction and major achievements of international development cooperation (including achievements of civil international development cooperation organizations referred to in Article 17) through various means. In such cases, the objects, scope and standards of disclosure and other detailed matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(4) The State shall build and operate a comprehensive information provision system on international development projects and programs, so as to improve the transparency and efficiency of international development projects and programs and to enhance public access to information.
Article 18-2(International Development Cooperation Day) #
(1) November 25 of each year shall be designated as the International Development Cooperation Day to enhance public understanding and interest in international development cooperation.
(2) The State and local governments shall endeavor to implement projects, such as events appropriate for the purposes of International Development Cooperation Day under paragraph (1).
[Added on Apr. 8, 2025]
Article 19(Fostering professional personnel) #
(1) The State shall endeavor to foster professional personnel for each area of international development cooperation.
(2) The State may organize and operate a consultative group comprised of related implementing agencies, etc. in order to foster professional personnel for each area of international development cooperation.
(3) The State may build and operate a system for sharing information concerning professional personnel for each area, managed by implementing agencies, in order to facilitate international development cooperation projects and programs and to efficiently manage professional personnel for each area.
Article 20(Strengthening international exchanges and cooperation) #
The State, etc. shall endeavor to promote and strengthen international exchanges and cooperation, including exchanging information, conducting joint research or study, and holding events with international organizations, foreign governments or organizations, etc. on the matters related to international development cooperation.
Article 21(Statistical information on international development cooperation) #
(1) The Committee shall operate an electronic information system for efficient management and utilization of statistical information on international development cooperation.
(2) An implementing agency shall submit statistical information on international development cooperation to the Committee after consulting with a relevant supervising agency.
(3) A supervising agency shall prepare, analyze, manage, and utilize statistical information on international development cooperation in areas under its jurisdiction.
(4) When requested by the National Assembly, the Committee shall submit statistical information referred to in paragraph (2).
(5) The Committee may, in cooperation with supervising agencies, monitor and support implementing agencies to ensure that they faithfully submit statistical information pursuant to paragraph (2).
(6) Necessary matters concerning the operation of an electronic information system referred to in paragraph (1), submission of statistical information referred to in paragraphs (2) and (4), and monitoring and support pursuant to paragraph (5) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Article 22(Monitoring of and support for international development cooperation projects and programs) #
(1) A supervising agency may conduct necessary monitoring in order to systematically identify, implement, and evaluate international development cooperation projects and programs in areas under its jurisdiction in accordance with a comprehensive strategy and a comprehensive implementation plan, and a mid-term assistance strategy referred to in Article 15; it may report the findings of such monitoring to the Committee or request necessary support.
(2) A supervising agency may request materials necessary for its activities prescribed in paragraph (1) from implementing agencies.
(3) The Committee may adjust matters related to the monitoring and support by supervising agencies prescribed in paragraph (1), if necessary.
Article 23(Roles of diplomatic missions abroad) #
(1) Diplomatic missions abroad (referring to diplomatic missions abroad of the Republic of Korea under the Act on the Establishment of Diplomatic Missions Abroad of the Republic of Korea; hereinafter the same shall apply) shall take part in the process of implementing projects and programs, such as identification, promotion and evaluation of international development cooperation projects and programs.
(2) Implementing agencies shall consult with diplomatic missions abroad through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in implementing projects and programs to facilitate the promotion of international development cooperation projects and programs, and may receive necessary support.
(3) Diplomatic missions abroad may request materials necessary for their activities prescribed in paragraph (1) from implementing agencies through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Article 24(Delegation and entrustment of authority) #
(1) Supervising agencies may delegate or entrust part of their authority under this Act to implementing agencies, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Apr. 8, 2025>
(2) The Commission may, if necessary for the efficient management and utilization of information related to international development cooperation, entrust part of the duties of electronic information system operation under Article 21 to a relevant specialized institution. <Added on April 8, 2025>
Article 25(Awards) #
(1) The State and local governments may select and reward institutions, corporations, organizations, individuals, etc. that have made distinguished contributions to international development cooperation.
(2) Matters necessary for support under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree or Ordinance.
[Added on Apr. 8, 2025]