Educational Policy, Development of Education, and Economic Growth in Korea

Abstract

It is a well-known fact that national development in Korea—especially the rapid economic growth—has taken place largely because of the country’s highly educated, but low-paid, human resources. The scope and objectives of this chapter aim to describe changes in major educational policies in the 60 years since the establishment of the government in 1948; review the quantitative and qualitative development of education; and explore the contribution of educational development to economic progress. The first part of this chapter will overview changes and reforms in educational policies during the last six decades. Next, it will examine the characteristics of Korean education quantitatively and qualitatively. Finally, it will introduce major studies on the contribution of education to productivity and economic growth in Korea.