The World Bank’s 2025 World Development Report, “Standards for Development,” shines a spotlight on Korea’s remarkable transformation, featuring it as a leading example of how strategic standardization can drive national progress. Korea’s journey—from postwar recovery to becoming a global technology powerhouse—is presented as a case study in the deliberate use of standards and quality infrastructure as core instruments of industrial policy and export competitiveness. The report details how Korea’s government-led approach, robust legal frameworks, and coordinated public-private investments enabled the country to embed quality and innovation into its industries, ultimately positioning Korea as an active author of international standards in advanced fields like AI and 5G.
Drawing on Korea’s experience, the report recommends the “3A Strategy” (Adapt, Align, Author) for developing nations seeking to accelerate their own growth. This strategy encourages countries to localize international standards to fit their unique contexts, strengthen national quality infrastructure, and actively participate in global standard-setting. Korea’s featured success story illustrates that embracing and shaping standards is not just a technical exercise, but a powerful lever for economic development, innovation, and global competitiveness. The lessons from Korea’s ascent offer a roadmap for emerging economies aiming to leapfrog stages of development and play a more influential role in the future of global industry.