On the morning of August 8, 2025, Lincoln Hall filled with anticipation as KDI School’s graduating class gathered for a rare and reflective occasion, a special lecture by the Dean, Dr. Joon-Kyung Kim, titled “KDI School: From Korea’s Experience to Global Change.” This event, initially organized exclusively for the 2025 program completers and later extended to other students, offered not only an in-depth academic exploration of Korea’s remarkable development journey but also a moment to reflect on the graduates’ growth during their time at KDI School.

From the outset, Dean Kim positioned Korea’s story as a living case study for the world, one that moves from post-war devastation and aid dependency to an advanced economy recognized for innovation, resilience, and global contribution. Tracing the trajectory from 1948 to the present, he recounted key milestones: the adoption of an export-oriented industrial policy in 1964, the Saemaul (New Village) Movement in the 1970s that closed the rural-urban income gap, and the remarkable reforestation drive that transformed barren landscapes into carbon-absorbing forests recognized by UNESCO in 2025.

Dean Kim emphasized that Korea’s growth was both rapid and inclusive, making it one of the few nations to achieve high economic expansion without deepening income inequality. This “shared growth” model, he argued, was underpinned by deliberate policy choices, strategic industrial promotion, and an unwavering focus on human capital development. It is a model that continues to inform the policy consultations KDI conducts with partner countries under the Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP), aligning with the United Nations’ global Sustainable Development Goals.

The lecture then turned to the story of KDI itself, founded in 1971 as a government-sponsored think tank tasked with providing evidence-based policy research. Dean Kim described how its early work, supported by U.S. aid and guided by Harvard advisors, shaped Korea’s industrial and social policies. Input-output analysis became a cornerstone of KDI’s approach, allowing policymakers to make informed decisions on complex industrialization strategies, such as the development of heavy and chemical industries.

KDI’s influence, he noted, was not confined to domestic policy. Its research and policy frameworks were shared internationally, reaching countries such as China and Vietnam during their formative industrial years. By the early 2000s, KDI had formalized this global role through the KSP, offering structured policy consultations to nearly 1,900 projects in over 80 countries.

In 1997, the founding of KDI School expanded this mission into education, creating a hub for training future leaders in public policy and development. Over the past 27 years, KDI School has welcomed more than 3,200 international students from 143 countries, building a global alumni network that now influences policy and development in diverse contexts, from ministerial offices in Africa to trade negotiations in Asia and diplomatic missions in Europe.

Dean Kim highlighted KDI School’s modularized case studies, 148 documented lessons from Korea’s development, that are now used worldwide in policymaking and training. Collaborations with institutions such as the World Bank and Princeton University have ensured that these cases are not only academically rigorous but also highly practical.

The Dean’s address concluded with a call to action for the graduating class:

“Lead with purpose. Stay connected. And keep the KDI spirit alive. Let the lessons you’ve learned here be a lifelong source of inspiration, guiding you to promote inclusive and sustainable development wherever your journey takes you.”

It was a fitting message for a cohort that has weathered global uncertainties and still emerged ready to take on leadership roles in their home countries and beyond.

As the applause settled, the event took an emotional turn with a special performance by Soyeon Shin, a beloved figure in the KDI School community. Returning briefly from her military duties, she chose the harmonica as her instrument of tribute, its plaintive tones carrying both nostalgia and pride. 

Among the pieces she played was a song once cherished by Korea’s Founding President, His Excellency Syngman Rhee, during his years in Hawaii, longing for his homeland. The melody seemed to bridge past and present, embodying the spirit of perseverance and vision that had run through the morning’s lecture.

Her performance was more than a musical interlude; it was a symbolic handover of tradition, history, and responsibility to the graduating class. Just as Korea’s development story is rooted in resilience and innovation, so too must the graduates carry forward the values they have absorbed at KDI School.

In the end, the event was as much about looking ahead as it was about looking back. For the graduates, the morning offered a condensed masterclass in Korea’s development model, a reminder of the institution that has shaped their academic and professional outlook, and a cultural moment that tied their experience to the larger Korean narrative.

As they stepped out of Lincoln Hall into the summer air, many carried with them not just their degrees-in-waiting, but also a renewed sense of purpose. In the words of Dean Kim, their task now is clear: to be global changemakers, rooted in evidence, driven by purpose, and ready to translate the lessons of Korea into solutions for the world.