SOUTH KOREA’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT POLICIES FOR WOMEN IN INDONESIA

Abstract

Foreign aid or grants are often considered temporary commitments in response to conflicts or humanitarian crises. However, many countries provide foreign aid as a moral obligation to promote global welfare. Since 1963, South Korea has provided foreign aid and grants to developing countries. This commitment is exemplified by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), a government agency established to manage technical grants. KOICA also plays a significant role in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals. Indonesia, a developing country with a significant poverty rate and high Gender Inequality Index, has become a key focus of KOICA’s development policies. Specifically, KOICA implements women’s empowerment programs, particularly for women in rural and vulnerable communities, with the expectation that these programs will have long-term positive impacts on community welfare. This research uses a role theory framework to examine the internal and external factors influencing South Korea’s role as a donor and the implementation of its community development policies targeting women in Indonesia.