Democratic governments today operate in a context of rapid and disruptive change. Increasing policy complexity across several domains and low public trust in institutions mean that governments cannot rely solely on traditional sources of expertise, such as public officials and external consultants. 

This case study examines Korea’s use of participatory and collaborative approaches to policymaking through the Open Policy Lab (OPL). The OPL functions both as a platform and a structured methodology, bringing together subject-matter experts, frontline practitioners and other stakeholders to co‑create policies. It focuses particularly on early‑stage policy design under conditions of uncertainty and complexity. 

The Open Policy Lab has played a central role in advancing public sector innovation by integrating collective intelligence, operational expertise and structured deliberation into agenda‑setting and policy formulation. The example presented in this case study reflects broader efforts that have positioned Korea among global leaders in applying the principles of open government to improve policy and involve stakeholders into decision-making.