UNDP to shut Seoul office as S. Korea becomes donor

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Nov. 19 (Yonhap) -- The United Nations' development agency plans to close
its office in Seoul next month as South Korea looks set to join the OECD club of
benefactors, diplomats here said Thursday.
The U.N. Development Program's (UNDP) decision reflects a shift in South Korea's
international status from a developing country to a donor. South Korea, now the
world's 15th largest economy, has risen from the ashes of the 1950-53 Korean War
and achieved rapid economic and social development with the help of the global
development network. It provided South Korea with US$100 million in aid until
2000.
The agency's Seoul office, which opened in 1963, has downsized its operation in
recent years, playing more of a symbolic role as a liaison between Seoul and the
United Nations.
"The UNDP made huge contributions to South Korea's economic development until the
1990s but its business is being formally terminated as South Korea has become a
benefactor," a foreign ministry official said.
He said the UNDP will instead open a "policy center" in Seoul for development
projects in Asia-Pacific nations in need.
South Korea has applied for membership in the OECD Development Assistance
Committee (DAC), which is scheduled to decide whether to accept Seoul's request
in a session next Wednesday.
Ministry officials said it is "almost certain" South Korea will be able to join
the DAC, citing the committee's assessment of Seoul's qualification.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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