Korea Plans Major Increase in Colombia Aid

South Korea has earmarked USD6 million for Colombia in 2010, up five times from the 2009 level of USD1.3 million.

The Asian donor nation considers Colombia “an important partner” on account that the latter was the sole Latin American country to aid South Korea during the North’s invasion in the 1950s, according to The Korea Herald.

Last year, the Korea International Cooperation Agency opened an office in Colombia. Its main investments are in the country’s health sector, including USD2 million for basic health improvement and USD11.5 million for the establishment of the Korea-Colombia Friendship Rehabilitation Center in the Colombian capital, Bogota.