Advancing international cooperation as a strategy for managing pandemics

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has fractured international relationships and challenged governments to adapt in new and unprecedented ways. This crisis has caused many governments to look inward and avoid a globalised response. However, using the case study of South Korea, the author argues that a more open approach and international collaboration are needed to tackle COVID-19 and to avert a future pandemic crisis. Relying on the policy innovation and policy transfer literature, this article suggests how countries can overcome some of the obstacles to international cooperation that may be needed for intra-crisis learning. The author uses policy documents, press briefings, and statements from the South Korean government to examine how the country has shared its expertise and resources in fighting COVID-19 with the international community. The South Korean government is also committed to strengthening the public health systems of developing countries to manage pandemic crises. The article concludes by proposing a way to translate lessons from South Korea into possible opportunities for international cooperation in pandemic crisis management.

KEYWORDS:

• Crisis management
• pandemic policy
• policy innovation
• official development assistance
• K-bangyeok
• COVID-19

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. This policy is an updated version of the New Southern Policy Strategy, aiming to build a stronger partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The policy was officially introduced at the 21st ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit, virtually held on 12 November 2020.

2. The twelve national departments are KMOHW, KCDC, KMOFA, KMOIS, KMSIT, Office for Government Policy Coordination, Korean Ministry of Economy and Finance, Korean Ministry of Education, Korean Ministry of Justice, Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Korea National Fire Agency, and Korea National Police Agency. The five public institutions are KHIDI, KOICA, Korea Foundation for International Healthcare, Korea National Medical Centre, and Korea International Medical Association. Korea Foundation later joined the TF, making six public institutions participate in the TF.

3. Recorded webinars and presentation slides are accessible at http://www.mofa.go.kr/eng/brd/m_22741/list.do.

4. “Bang” denotes to control and prevent, and “yeok” denotes infectious diseases. “K-bangyeok” mimics the word “K-pop,” which is a genre of pop music originating in South Korea.

5. In this article, the currency exchange rate at the end of June 2020 is applied (1 USD = 1,198.5 KRW).

6. The Committee for International Development Cooperation (CIDC) is the most important decision-making committee for South Korea’s international development policies. The Committee comprises up to 25 members, including the Prime Minister (Chair of the CIDC), Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, and Head of Korea International Cooperation Agency. Based on the Framework Act on International Development Cooperation, the decisions adopted by the CIDC are legally binding and monitored.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jongeun You

Jongeun You is a doctoral student in the School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver.