Lao and South Korean government officials display an agreement on a new digital training scheme.

S. Korea pledges US$9.9m to strengthen digital skills of Lao officials

The government of South Korea will provide US$9.9 million to support Laos’ digital transformation by training civil servants and boosting their digital skills over the next five years.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will fund the Project for Establishment of a Digital-Human Resources Development Centre, which will be implemented from 2025 to 2029.
The initiative will support Laos in building a strong foundation for digital governance and improving the delivery of public services.
The project will establish a Digital-Human Resources Development Centre under the Ministry of Technology and Communications, prepare a training master plan, develop learning materials, and strengthen the skills of civil servants through structured training programmes.
All aspects of the project will be carried out in close partnership with the ministry’s Digital Government Centre.
An agreement on the project was signed in Vientiane on Tuesday, at a ceremony attended by Korean Ambassador to Laos Mr Jung Yung-soo, Minister of Technology and Communications Prof. Dr Boviengkham Vongdara, and representatives from several ministries and organisations.
A Record of Discussion to kickstart the project was signed by KOICA Country Director Mr Sungsoo Oh and Deputy Minister of Technology and Communications Mr Keovisouk Solaphom.
Mr Jung said the project would speed up Laos’ digital transformation, provide a permanent training system for civil servants, and build a sustainable digital education environment for the government.
He added that digitalising administration would improve public access to government services and contribute to broader social development.
Prof. Dr Boviengkham welcomed the strong partnership with South Korea, saying the project would help modernise government administration and improve public services in line with National Socio-economic Development Plans.
KOICA said it would continue to work with Laos to advance the country’s digital landscape and socio-economic growth by enhancing the skills of public servants.
The agency said the project would also strengthen bilateral ties while laying the groundwork for a sustainable digital government education system that benefits all citizens.
Digital transformation has been identified as one of priorities for Laos with the government setting out a long-term vision to drive economic growth and modernise public services.
This includes the National Digital Economic Development Vision for 2021-2024, the National Digital Economic Development Strategy for 2021-2030, and the National Digital Economic Development Plan for 2021-2025.
The National Committee on Digital Transformation has been instructed to push these strategies forward by promoting policies, action plans and projects, while also reviewing the progress made in different sectors.
At a high-level meeting last year, President Thongloun Sisoulith underscored the urgency of speeding up digital transformation, saying it is vital for socio-economic development.
Without such progress, he warned, Laos risks losing opportunities to advance as the world moves deeper into the fourth industrial revolution.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update September 10, 2025)