This study was conducted to analyze odor regulation policies of major countries and explore development directions for Korea’s odor management system through international comparison. Korea has achieved significant progress in odor management over the past 20 years since the enactment of the Odor Prevention Act in 2004, including the establishment of real-time monitoring systems, integrated complaint management systems, and scientific management infrastructure in major odor management areas such as Sihwa-Banwol Industrial Complex and metropolitan landfills in Incheon and Daejeon. To identify potential development directions, a literature review and comparative analysis were conducted on four regions: the United States, the European Union, Japan, and Singapore. The analysis revealed that each region has developed unique approaches: Japan’s Odor Judge system (involving 3,352 active professionals) for measurement standardization; the United States’s citizen science-based monitoring systems, such as the Odor Explore project that utilizes community participation; the EU’s preventive management policies through the application of Best Available Techniques (BAT) and land use planning integration; and Singapore’s systematic management approach through its myENV app and urban planning integration. Based on Korea’s existing achievements and international experiences, this study identified eight development areas, including measurement system standardization, management scope expansion, integrated management system enhancement, real-time monitoring implementation, technology development investment, complaint resolution mechanism improvement, preventive management system enhancement, and information transparency enhancement. This study proposes development directions that build upon Korea’s current infrastructure and policy achievements, considering the country’s unique socio-economic conditions and environmental characteristics. These directions are expected to contribute to the continuous advancement of Korea’s odor management system while leveraging existing strengths and addressing future challenges.