South Korea’s Development Cooperation Policies – A Role Theoretical Approach

Abstract: This thesis explores South Korea’s role within international development cooperation through a role theoretical analysis of the country’s development cooperation policies. The purpose of this paper is to shed a light on the possibilities and benefits of applying role theory within the field of international development cooperation, while focusing on South Korea, as a case of an emerging and quickly advancing donor. In order to reveal national role conceptions, as well as the alter’s role prescriptions, the paper puts forward a qualitative content analysis, looking at documents issued by South Korea and the OECD that concern its development cooperation policies. Hereby, it becomes evident that South Korea’s role is highly influenced by its own development experience and recent transformation from recipient into donor state. The experience the country has gained builds the foundation for its own perception as a donor, as well as for the expectations of other OECD Member countries and is, thus, translated into South Korea’s development cooperation policies.