{"id":2202103,"date":"2023-08-29T17:00:56","date_gmt":"2023-08-29T08:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2202103"},"modified":"2023-08-30T17:01:25","modified_gmt":"2023-08-30T08:01:25","slug":"how-graft-and-geopolitics-risk-south-koreas-development-assistance-to-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/08\/how-graft-and-geopolitics-risk-south-koreas-development-assistance-to-ukraine\/","title":{"rendered":"How graft and geopolitics risk South Korea\u2019s development assistance to Ukraine"},"content":{"rendered":"
South Korea staked a claim in Ukraine\u2019s postwar reconstruction by harnessing its growing economic relationship with Poland. However, despite the positive optics that might have, particularly in democratic countries in the developed world, there is no guarantee that Seoul\u2019s strategy will succeed.<\/span><\/p>\n One of the memorandums of understanding South Korea <\/span>signed<\/span><\/a> with Poland in July outlined measures to strengthen the two countries\u2019 cooperation efforts for reconstruction and development projects in Ukraine.<\/span><\/p>\n Following that measure, Korean public and private sectors will <\/span>offer<\/span><\/a> $52 billion in aid for Ukraine\u2019s reconstruction projects. This move comes at a time when Warsaw and Kyiv have strengthened their relations, which Taras Kuzio, a leading expert on Ukraine, <\/span>described<\/span><\/a> as an \u201cemerging alliance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n South Korea\u2019s <\/span>provision of aid<\/span><\/a> for Ukraine\u2019s reconstruction, particularly at the <\/span>ministerial level<\/span><\/a>, stands as a testament to the Yoon administration\u2019s commitment to its \u201c<\/span>global pivotal state<\/span><\/a>\u201d status despite the main opposition Democratic Party\u2019s lack of enthusiasm for supporting the European country.<\/span><\/p>\n South Korea tentatively <\/span>allocated<\/span><\/a> $393 million (520 billion won) in its state budget on Tuesday to support Ukraine\u2019s reconstruction-related projects.<\/span><\/p>\n However, the depth of this impact rests on two primary aspects: the effectiveness of Seoul\u2019s aid and the extent of Ukraine\u2019s integration with the E.U. after the end of its war with Russia.<\/span><\/p>\n GRAFT AND CORRUPTION<\/b><\/p>\n With Poland as its leading trade partner in Central and Eastern Europe, it is natural for South Korea to align with it for Ukraine\u2019s post-conflict reconstruction. Partnering with Warsaw also showcases Seoul\u2019s preference for <\/span>coalition-building<\/span><\/a> to deal with complex global issues, which ROK foreign minister Park Jin referred to as a \u201cpolycrisis.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Seoul\u2019s stated interest in providing economic aid to Ukraine also highlights South Korea\u2019s intention to use foreign aid as a tool to <\/span>diversify<\/span><\/a> its commercial and diplomatic interests beyond the Asia Pacific. The plan to divide the $52 billion aid package between its public and private sectors also <\/span>mirrors<\/span><\/a> the ROK\u2019s past practice of leveraging such partnerships in its official development assistance (ODA) policies.<\/span><\/p>\n Further, the ROK-Poland partnership\u2019s <\/span>emphasis<\/span><\/a> on Ukraine\u2019s post-war reconstruction efforts aligns with Seoul\u2019s <\/span>belief<\/span><\/a> that focusing on infrastructure projects in its economic outreach to other countries propels its own economic growth. This strategy has benefitted South Korea in <\/span>Vietnam<\/span><\/a>, the <\/span>UAE<\/span><\/a> and the <\/span>U.S.<\/span><\/a> As there has proven to be a <\/span>correlation<\/span><\/a> between South Korean ODA outflows and a subsequent rise in its exports to those recipient nations, ROK officials likely believe that assisting Ukraine would also result in net economic gains for South Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n However, mere aid provision does not guarantee ideal outcomes for South Korea. This is especially true given that corruption in the ROK\u2019s aid provision has been a particularly serious issue.<\/span><\/p>\n South Korea\u2019s <\/span>past provision<\/span><\/a> of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) aid to developing countries was motivated by economic and security interests, which led Seoul to favor recipient nations that were poorer and more authoritarian with sub-par governance institutions. As good governance was not central to South Korea\u2019s aid programs, they provided fertile ground for graft.<\/span><\/p>\n It is noteworthy that South Korea and Ukraine <\/span>had discussed ICT collaboration<\/span><\/a> before Russia invaded the latter in 2022.<\/span><\/p>\n Adding complexity, the mere prospect of participating in Ukraine\u2019s reconstruction has <\/span>boosted<\/span><\/a> the stock prices of Korean firms, which likely opens doors for corruption within Seoul\u2019s business sectors.<\/span><\/p>\n Further, Ukraine has also grappled with <\/span>graft<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>corruption<\/span><\/a> for years. If Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities fail to rein in such behavior, it will likely impact South Korea\u2019s enthusiasm for providing aid to Ukraine negatively.<\/span><\/p>\n