The Republic of Korea's Transformation

Historical Context

• Eastern end of Asia
• Suffered from Japan's colonial rule in early 20th century
• Divided during Cold War era
• Emerged as an economic power
  • Only country to transition from aid recipient to donor nation

Saemaul Undong Movement

• Driving force behind Korea's development and overcoming difficulties
• Recognized as a world heritage by UNESCO

Background

• Liberation from Japan in 1945, followed by Korean War
• Resulted in division and devastation of the Korean Peninsula
• 1960: Per capita income was only $79
• Extreme poverty led to frustration among the Korean people

Launch of Saemaul Undong

• 1962: First five-year economic development plan initiated
• Urban-rural income gap worsened
• 1969: Severe flooding prompted government action
• Influence of a village's cooperative efforts inspired President Park Chung-hee
• April 22, 1970: Saemaul Undong proposed
• Government provided free cement to over 33,000 villages

Implementation and Achievements

• Villagers selected and implemented projects autonomously
• Significant improvements in rural living conditions
• First year's success: Nearly half of villages showed better-than-expected results
• Outstanding villages received additional resources (500 sacks of cement, etc.)
  • Symbolic disappearance of poverty indicators

Categories of Development

• 1973: Villages categorized into basic, self-help, and self-reliance based on development levels
• Increased government support for outstanding villages

Agricultural and Economic Changes

• Modernization of rural infrastructure
• Introduction of high-yield rice seeds and new farming techniques
• Shift from conventional to combined farming, including special crops
• Introduction of vinyl greenhouses and cooperative units
• Establishment of Saemaul factories for job creation in rural areas

Urban Development and Broader Impact

• Saemaul Undong expanded to urban areas in 1974
• Focus on healthy social values and corruption eradication
• Workplace initiatives for productivity and quality control
• Lifelong education promoted through library movement

Core Principles of Saemaul Undong

• Diligence: Hard work
• Self-help: Ownership and exploration of life
• Cooperation: Community-focused mindset
• Traditional cooperative culture supported Saemaul spirit

Education and Leadership

• Importance of dedicated village leaders identified
• Saemaul education targeted local leaders and expanded to various sectors
• Led to widespread social awareness and participation

Structure and Evaluation

• Government-led movement with village autonomy
• Each village had a development committee
• Projects required local contributions and external support
• Regular evaluations ensured accountability and improvement

Outcomes of Saemaul Undong

• Significant increases in rural income
• Achieved self-sufficiency in staple grains by 1975
• Rural infrastructure improvements (roads, bridges, and community facilities)
• Enhanced living conditions with access to electricity and communications
• Cultivated a positive mental outlook and community resilience
• Women's increased participation transformed village dynamics

Success Factors

1. Strong governmental support and commitment
2. Voluntary village participation in project selection
3. Focus on nurturing dedicated leadership
4. Effective implementation strategies for outstanding villages
5. Projects rooted in community culture of mutual help

Conclusion

• Transition from $79 per capita income in 1960 to national confidence and spirit of development
• Saemaul Undong as a model for global prosperity
• Aims to share Korea's successful experiences with the world.