Korea and the ILO: A partnership for development
The Republic of Korea joined the International Labour Organization in 1991, becoming a highly active member country and an innovating partner. Since 1996 the country has been represented in the Governing Body as both a Titular Member and Deputy Member. The Government of Korea is a generous contributor to the ILO’s technical cooperation work at both headquarters and within the Asia-Pacific region.
In 2003, the Ministry of Employment and Labour signed a memorandum of understanding with the ILO to formalize their partnership for development. A year later, the Government of Korea provided funding to institutionalize the ILO/Korea Partnership Programme, which focuses on realizing the objectives set out in the Asian Decent Work Decade that were introduced during the Fourteenth ILO Asian Regional Meeting in the Republic of Korea in 2006.
QUICK FACTS
Republic of Korea joined the ILO in 1991.
Republic of Korea has participated within the ILO Governing Body since 1996 (1996–2011).
Republic of Korea is the eleventh-largest contributor to the ILO (US$7.9 million) in 2010.
Republic of Korea hosted the Fourteenth ILO Asian Regional Meeting in September 2006.
Thematic areas
The ILO/Korea Partnership Programme has a clear goal, to support the realization of the Asian Decent Work Decade that was launched in 2006 at the 14th ILO Asian Regional Meeting in Busan, Republic of Korea. The Programme’s support is directed into three thematic (project) areas:
- Competitiveness, Productivity and Jobs
- Labour Market Governance and Social Protection
- Labour Migration
Institutional framework
The ILO/Korea Partnership Programme, under the guidance of the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, works in close collaboration with specialists in ILO offices throughout the region. The ILO/Korea team manages the Programme. An annual executive committee meeting brings together the ILO/Korea team with specialists and officials from Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labour and the partner institutions to exchange experiences and lessons learned, review the status of their ongoing activities and agree on the forthcoming year’s implementing plan.
Korean partner institutions
The Programme’s priority areas of work are implemented in partnership with relevant Korean institutions that have committed to extend their knowledge and technical expertise, training facilities, personnel, funds, and institutional network in the implementation of project activities. These Korean partner institutions include:
- Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRDK)
- Korea Employment Agency for the Disabled (KEAD)
- Korea Employment Information Service (KEIS)
- Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA)
- Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET)
- Korea University of Technology and Education (KUT)
- Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service (COMWEL)
Geographical coverage
The Programme covers Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Viet Nam and Pacific countries. Projects that originate in the ILO headquarters also cover countries outside the Asia-Pacific region.
Contact
ILO/Korea Partnership Programme
International Labour Organization
Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
United Nations Building
Rajdamnern Nok Avenue
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: +662-288-1234
Fax: +662-288-3062
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