Republic of Korea - ILO Cooperation

The Republic of Korea has been a member State of the ILO since 1991 and has ratified 29 ILO conventions including, four Fundamental Conventions — the two on discrimination and two on child labour.

Korea's strategic contribution to the ILO

The Republic of Korea funds the ILO through:

  • Assessed contributions to ILO's Regular Budget paid by all ILO member States by virtue of their membership. From 2018 to 2022, the Republic of Korea contributed US$ 41.8 million.
  • Voluntary, non-core funding contributions earmarked for specific themes or projects. From 2018 to 2022, the Republic of Korea contributed US$ 21.2 million
The Republic of Korea’s contributions to the ILO, 2018-2022 (US$ 63.1M)

The Republic of Korea’s support to ILO interventions

With the support of development cooperation funding from the Republic of Korea, the ILO currently implements programmes in Algeria, Bangladesh, Cameroon, India, Laos People's Democratic Republic, Morocco and Tunisia as well as global initiatives and activities in the Asian and Pacific region. An important number of secondments are supported by the Republic of Korea’s Expert Programme.

The Republic of Korea-ILO partnership 

Launched in 2004, the ILO/Korea Partnership Programme is supported by the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific to provide technical assistance to help achieve the goals set out in the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda in Asia and the Pacific. The ILO/Korea Partnership Programme has been renewed for the period 2018-2020, and supports projects that strengthen public employment services, promote occupational safety and health, and enhance social protection floors.

The ILO’s key partners for engagement with the Republic of Korea include the Ministry of Employment and Labour, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

The Republic of Korea’s Priorities in International Cooperation

The Republic of Korea’s international cooperation is based on a people-cantered approach to peace and prosperity. This strategy focuses on the following sectors: education, health, governance, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, as well as technology, environment and energy. Environment, gender equality and human rights are cross-cutting issues in the Republic of Korea’s international cooperation, which also has 24 core partner countries.