Park, Jihwan

Abstract
Due to various conflicts in MiddleEast Asia, the main global oil exporter, the procurement of energy has become more competitive in the world. In addition, the demands of newly industrialised countries such as China for resources intensify the competition in the world. However, Africa has emerged as a new strategic region for the procurement of natural resources, and following the Second World War, China has bolstered its alliance with African countries by providing its Official Development Assistance in the region. As a result, China has successfully met its resource requirements. How ever South Korea’s ODA is mainly concentrated in Asia for geographic reasons: South Korea relies highly on imports for the procurement of resources. South Korea must provide its ODA in Africa in order to increase its self-sufficiency in resources. Then will South Korea be released from the criticism that it should transfer its ODA focus from Africa to Asia and from the lower middle-income countries to the least developed countries and other low-income countries. In a reality where the world continually experiences economic recession, South Korea should not only consider the recipients’ needs but also its economic interests when it provides its ODA, a so-called win-win situation.
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