OECD presents productivity, human resources, and openness as Korea's growth tasks

František Ružicka, Deputy Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), presented productivity, human resources, and openness as three key tasks for sustainable growth of the Korean economy.

Deputy Secretary-General Ruzicka said this in a keynote speech at the 'Seminar commemorating the 30th anniversary of joining the OECD' held at The Grand Lotte Seoul in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 4th, saying that Korea has strengthened its economic resilience through reform and innovation even during crises over the past 30 years.

He emphasized the expansion of small and medium-sized businesses using artificial intelligence (AI), promoting competition in the service industry, strengthening lifelong learning, improving the dual structure of the labor market, diversifying trade, and expanding international cooperation.

In addition, he added that we must preemptively prepare for future economic shocks and spread the results of growth throughout society.

This seminar, hosted by the Delegation to the OECD, was designed to look back on the achievements of Korea-OECD cooperation over the past 30 years under the theme of '30 years of cooperation with the OECD and a new future' and to discuss policy directions for expanding the growth potential and structural transformation of the Korean economy.

In her welcoming address, Kim Jin-ah, Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, evaluated joining the OECD as a diplomatic turning point and emphasized the importance of OECD cooperation for responsible, human-centered AI development and sustainable growth in response to AI and digital transformation, supply chain reorganization, low birth rate and aging, etc.

Moon Ji-seong, international economic management officer at the Ministry of Finance and Economy, announced that in order to continue the economic recovery caused by strong semiconductor exports and facility investment to a rebound in potential growth rates, the government will promote private investment in high-tech fields such as AI, strengthen the competitiveness of the service industry, and promote regulatory reform.

Baek Tae-woong, Ambassador to the OECD, said that he is considering proposing increasing the potential growth rate through AI and technological innovation as a key agenda for the 2027 OECD Ministerial Council.

About 200 people from the government, international organizations, academia, and industry attended the event.