Opening new pathways for cooperation in public policy training, innovation, and sustainable local development inspired by Korea’s Saemaul Undong model.

Last month, on October 1, 2025, a high-level delegation from the Association of Ecuadorian Municipalities (AME) met with Dr. Joon-Kyung Kim, Dean of the KDI School of Public Policy and Management, at the Embassy of Ecuador in Seoul. The meeting marked a meaningful step toward collaboration between Korea and Ecuador in the fields of public policy, innovation, and local governance, highlighting shared goals for inclusive and sustainable development.

The encounter took place as part of the Seoul Smart Life Week 2025, an international event that gathered local leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore how smart technologies can improve quality of life in cities worldwide. For Ecuadorian representatives, the visit provided an opportunity to learn directly from Korea’s remarkable journey of transformation, from a developing nation to a global leader in innovation and governance, guided by sound policy design and community-driven growth.

Learning from Korea’s Development Experience

During the meeting, Dean Kim presented the Korea Development Institute (KDI) and its central role in shaping Korea’s economic modernization. Founded in 1971, KDI worked alongside scholars from Harvard University and helped design Korea’s Five-Year Economic Development Plans, which laid the foundation for the nation’s rapid industrialization and social progress.

“Evidence-based policymaking has always been at the heart of KDI’s work,” Dean Kim emphasized, outlining how KDI and KDI School have become international leaders in policy research and education. Through programs such as the Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP) and the International Development Exchange Program (IDEP), KDI has trained over 30,000 officials from 162 countries, sharing Korea’s experience in economic planning, social reform, and governance.

For the Ecuadorian delegation, these lessons carried deep relevance. As Josué López, AME’s Specialist in International Cooperation, explained:

“For us, it is essential to learn how Korea transformed its peri-urban and rural areas into thriving cities. KDI’s experience with the Saemaul Undong movement offers a model of how local governments can empower communities and promote inclusive growth.”

The Saemaul Undong or “New Village Movement” became a central theme of the discussion. This community-driven initiative, which began in the 1970s, mobilized rural populations to improve infrastructure, productivity, and social cohesion. The Ecuadorian representatives saw in this model a valuable reference for strengthening local institutions and encouraging civic participation in development processes.

Toward Technical Exchange and Capacity Building

Significantly, the meeting also opened the door to future cooperation between KDI School and AME, centered on developing training and technical exchange programs for municipal officials. These programs would focus on strategic areas such as municipal finance, innovation, territorial planning, and local economic development, key priorities for Ecuador’s 221 municipalities.

According to López, future initiatives could take place through online, hybrid, or in-person training, allowing mayors and local officials to learn from Korea’s best practices both virtually and through study visits. “The goal is to move from ideas to tangible actions,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of working alongside Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to institutionalize the collaboration.

For Jorge Manrique, Mayor of Urcuquí, the meeting provided a clear example of how knowledge sharing can drive transformation at the local level:

“KDI’s expertise in governance and policy design can help our municipalities build stronger, more efficient institutions. Learning from Korea’s modernization experience gives us the tools to better serve our citizens and manage our development priorities.”

Meanwhile, José Luis Arteaga, Mayor of Chimbo, reflected on the technological dimension of the visit:

“We realize the significant gap that still exists between our cities and those of advanced economies. Exchanges like this one allow us to see how digital innovation can enhance public services and improve people’s lives.”

In this broader context, the dialogue with KDI School represented more than an exchange of ideas - it was a concrete step toward building long-term partnerships that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11 and 17, focused on sustainable cities and global cooperation. By connecting Korea’s decades of policy experience with Ecuador’s municipal development challenges, both institutions aim to foster mutual learning, innovation, and institutional strengthening.

Looking Ahead

As the meeting concluded, Dean Kim reaffirmed KDI School’s commitment to cultivating global leaders capable of shaping better policies for their communities. “We believe that sharing Korea’s development experience can inspire local innovation around the world,” he stated.

The Ecuadorian delegation left the Embassy with renewed enthusiasm and a shared vision: to adapt the lessons of Korea’s development model to their own contexts. Through collaboration, education, and community engagement, Korea and Ecuador are now building a bridge of knowledge, one that connects nations, empowers local governments, and strengthens the foundations for a smarter, more sustainable future.