S. Korea's aid to developing nations jumps in 2008

SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's assistance to developing countries jumped last year as the country intensified efforts to seek economic cooperation and enhance the national image, a report showed Tuesday.

According to the report by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, the nation's
official development assistance (ODA) amounted to a record US$797 million last
year, up 14 percent from a year earlier.
The assistance provided by donor countries of the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) is used to build roads, ports, and vital
social services infrastructure in developing countries.
South Korea ranked 19th among the OECD member countries in terms of ODA last
year, the ministry said. It added that the government will continue its efforts
to enhance the nation's global image by providing assistance and seeking economic
cooperation with developing countries.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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