National Human Resource Development (NHRD) has received much attention from scholars since the concept was first introduced in the 1980s. Although the concept of NHRD is still under academic debate with regard to its definition and scope, the number of case studies presenting NHRD policies in various countries has been growing. The purpose of this article was to present a case study comparison of NHRD in Brazil and South Korea. We examined features and aspects of NHRD in both countries, taking into account their historical, economic, political, and social contexts. In addition, we examined the role played by the state in creating and promoting NHRD policies toward economic and social transformation in South Korea and Brazil. Findings in this article provide implications not only for countries that adopt NHRD strategies but also for countries that may need to utilize HRD for their sustainable national development.