Acting President Choi Sang Mok, who is also deputy prime minister and minister of economy and finance, on Feb. 20 gives a speech at a meeting of the Committee for International Development Cooperation at Government Complex-Seoul in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. (Ministry of Economy and Finance)

By Kang Gahui

The country's official development assistance (ODA) allocated for this year is a record-high KRW 6.5 trillion.

The Office for Government Policy Coordination on Feb. 20 said this in announcing the passage of a 2025 comprehensive plan for cooperation in international development at a meeting of the Committee for International Development Cooperation chaired by Acting President Choi Sang Mok, who is also deputy prime minister and minister of economy and finance.

This year's ODA amount is up 3.8% from last year's. The number of projects was slightly cut from 1,976 to 1,928, but the average budget per project in the bilateral ODA grant sector rose from KRW 1.88 billion to KRW 2.08 billion to emphasize a solid project structure.

The expanded ODA sum seeks to give the govenrment a more responsible role in the international community like humanitarian assistance for causes like emergency relief abroad and more food aid to developing countries, as well as establishing climate finance.

Acting President Choi said, "We will make sure that our ODA empowers beneficiary countries and provides pride and self-esteem to our people, and new opportunities and breakthroughs for companies."

kgh89@korea.kr