The Republic of Korea's foreign aid through e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund :a case study of capacity building and school networking for educational services (e-learning) in Thailand

Abstract

This study is 1) to investigate Korean multilateral aid through the study of the e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund (EAKPF) and 2) to explore the attitude of the participants of the project toward Korea, the provider of the fund in the project “Capacity Building and School Networking for Educational Services (E-Learning) in Thailand.” The project is funded by Korea’s EAKPF managed by Asian Development Bank (ADB). Due to the fact that Korean economy depends on the ICT manufacture for the international trade and investment, one of the significant hypothesizes concentrates onto the economic interests which Korea might receive from the project. The study of Korean economy, Korea’s ODA (Official Development Assistance), and the in-depth interview with the project officials are the source to conclude the motivation of the aid. Analysis of the motivation is “national interest”. The study finds that the project does not possibly benefit Korea’s economic interest. Instead, Korea gains the donor image which is the diplomatic interest. The study considers that providing the assistance to the project represents the responsibility of donor country. The study analyzes that Korea’s development assistance through EAKPF increasing Korea’s ODA quality and quantity strengthens the national image to the international arena. In accordance with the enhancement of the national image, Korea prepares itself for the accession to Development Assistance Committee-DAC in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2010.