Ministry of Economy and Finance, World Bank hold annual results-sharing event in Seoul

$550 million contributed since 2013, supporting more than 230 projects

AI development cooperation to bundle technology, infrastructure, talent and institutional support

World Bank logo [Reuters]
World Bank logo [Reuters]

South Korea will work with the World Bank to share its experience in AI education and talent development with developing countries, making AI-focused development cooperation — bundling technology, infrastructure, human resources and institutional support — a priority under the Korea-World Bank Partnership Facility.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance and the World Bank held the annual Korea-World Bank Partnership Facility results-sharing event Thursday at the Glad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul.

The Korea-World Bank Partnership Facility, or KWPF, is South Korea's largest single trust fund at the World Bank, established in 2013 to expand cooperation between the two sides. It draws on the expertise and technology of Korean companies and institutions to provide technical assistance, advisory services and knowledge-sharing projects to developing countries. Since its launch, the South Korean government has contributed a cumulative $550 million, supporting more than 230 recipient-country projects.

This year's event centered on AI-driven education and capacity building, and on nurturing future talent through digital innovation. About 150 people attended, including World Bank officials, education ministry representatives from 19 recipient countries such as Ethiopia, Cambodia and Kenya, as well as officials from South Korea's Ministry of Education, the Korea Education and Research Information Service, the Korea Digital Education Association and domestic edtech companies.

Participants shared cases in which South Korea's experience and knowledge in education and capacity development — including AI-based vocational training — had been applied in recipient countries. The program featured examples such as the digital transformation of Angola's higher education system, the development of AI tools to improve literacy in Brazil, youth vocational training in India and the construction of an AI-based employment system in Mongolia.

The event also featured demonstrations of AI education innovation programs and products from domestic edtech companies including Visang Education, Learning Spark, I Hate Flying Bugs, Enuma, Freewill and Robo Horizon.

In his opening remarks, Kang Yun-jin, director general of the development finance bureau at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, said the importance of investing in future talent development is growing as AI technology advances. He said the KWPF pilots South Korea's knowledge and experience in recipient countries, then scales up proven projects into large-scale programs or World Bank loan operations.

Kang said the ministry would continue to support AI development cooperation projects that go beyond financial contributions to deliver a package combining South Korea's technology, infrastructure, human resources and institutional systems, making this a priority for the KWPF.

Kang also met separately Thursday with Nishio Akihiko, special adviser to the World Bank's managing director, reaffirming South Korea's commitment to supporting AI integration cooperation across all sectors, including AI education. He called on the World Bank to play an active role in supporting recipient countries' AI transitions and improving development outcomes.


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