The Korea Local Administration Review

The purpose of this study is to empirically analyze the major determinants ofKorean local governments' official development assistance(ODA) allocation. One ofthe main characteristics of Korea's ODA is the emergence of new aid-providingagencies and their expanding role. Despite concerns over aid fragmentation, therole of Korea's local governments in foreign assistance has been steadilyincreasing. Nevertheless, there have been very few empirical research on localgovernments' aid allocation while most works have been rather descriptive andnormative. In this regard, this study aims to empirically examine the factorsaffecting the involvement of local governments in aid activities with a focus onhow they respond to globalization and the extent to which the locality isglobalized. The result shows that the existence of globalization-related localregulations and the amount of outward foreign direct investment positivelyinfluence the size of aid extended by local governments in Korea. Meanwhile, theratio of foreign residents to the total population in the locality negatively affectsthe local governments' contribution to aid programs. This study contributes to theexisting literature by examining the determinants of aid activities by localgovernments and providing a basis for further research.
□ Keywords: local government, official development assistance, developmentcooperation, globalization, South Korea