In the 1960s, South Korea embarked on one of the most ambitious economic transformations in modern history through a series of 5-Year Economic Development Plans. The government’s rapid, state-led growth strategy demanded sophisticated economic analysis to ensure its plans were realistic, sustainable, and effective—yet such expertise was scarce within the public sector. Policymakers needed rigorous research and data-driven insights to guide national priorities and prevent instability in the fragile economy.To meet this challenge, the Korean government created a new model of policy support: government-sponsored think tanks dedicated to providing expert analysis for national development. Among them, the Korea Development Institute (KDI) emerged as the most influential, serving as the analytical “engine room” that powered South Korea’s remarkable economic rise.