Aid and Ambitions: Understanding South Korea's Positioning in Southeast Asia Through Its ODA Policies

Under the Yoon administration, the Republic of Korea has changed its attitude toward the Indo-Pacific region from hedging to a clearer alignment with the United States and related countries. This demonstrates a change in the country's interests toward Southeast Asia (SEA) and, more broadly, the region as a whole. To observe this change in interests, it is important to look at projects in the area of Official Development Assistance (ODA), as it is one of the most widely used instruments toward SEA countries. Korea is diversifying its regional relations through ODA to detach itself from the PRC and is in turn taking a more assertive stance of regional power toward SEA countries. Through ODA the Republic of Korea is trying to fortify its presence in the region and to create more connections which will help stabilize its internal economy. Moreover, South Korea aims to gain both status and a role of guide for developing countries, which is hoped to increase its influence as a middle power in the region.