Abstract
Initiated by the government of President Park Chung-hee in 1970, the Saemaul Undong (New Village Movement) became a nationwide program of rural development that by the end of the decade had spread to cities as a national symbol of the Korean way of government-guided participatory development. Originating as village modernization projects based on materials provided by the government and village self-help cooperation, it was subsequently linked with the advent of the Green Revolution in rice production. The successes attributed to the Saemaul Undong are manifold. Village upgrading and heavily subsidized rice production together raised rural household living standards and incomes to the level of urban households. South Korea also approached selfsufficiency in rice production. Village projects had a snowball effect, with one success encouraging another, leading to substantial village improvements in a relatively short period of time. Local-level officials became more efficient in implementing public programs and were better able to support village and agricultural needs. As a source of unity and national identity, the Saemaul Undong also became a prominent slogan and symbol of a Korean way of development.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.