Analyzing Korea’s official development assistance strategies toward United Nations sustainable development goals: A Delphi method approach

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as articulated by the United Nations (UN), aspire to foster a democratic society characterized by economic development, environmental stewardship, the attainment of justice, and resolution of global challenges encompassing poverty, health, and climate change. The pursuit of UN-SDGs involves the provision of official development assistance (ODA) from developed to developing countries. Nevertheless, the efficacy of such support in advancing the sustainable development objectives of developing countries remains ambiguous. This study endeavors to identify optimal strategies for Korea to contribute effectively to the realization of UN-SDGs. Employing an expert survey methodology, the research findings were subjected to analysis using the Delphi method. The consensus among experts underscores the foremost priority for Korea's ODA, which centers on 'establishing a clean water, sanitation, and hygiene system' in developing countries. Subsequently, the second priority lies in 'supporting disaster management and prevention technology,' followed by the third priority of 'providing clean energy technology and enhancing energy efficiency.' The fourth priority pertains to 'establishing educational infrastructure and programs.' Furthermore, experts concur on the importance of 'building road infrastructure and public transportation,' 'supporting greenhouse gas reduction through forest restoration,' and 'assisting in air pollution reduction' as additional critical factors for the sustainable development of developing countries. The insights derived from this study hold practical implications for the planning and execution of Korea's ODA initiatives.