The new chief of the Korea International Cooperation Agency, the government agency for international development assistance, took office Thursday, vowing to step up the effectiveness of South Korea's aid to developing countries.
Lee Mi-kyung, a former five-term lawmaker affiliated with the ruling Democratic Party, was sworn in as the president of KOICA.
"Regrettably, Korea's official development assistance architecture remains fragmented, characterized by duplications, weak linkages between programs and inadequate follow-ups over the past three decades," Lee said in her inaugural speech. "This weakens the status and functions of KOICA as a dedicated agency responsible for delivering grants.
"As the new president of KOICA, I believe this is the most crucial policy issue that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. This is not about raising KOICA's profile. This is essential to improving the effectiveness, transparency, accountability and systematic operation of Korea's ODA," she said.