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The Miracle on the Han River () is a term used to refer to South Korea's postwar export-fueled economic growth, including rapid industrialization, technological achievement, education boom, large rise in living standards, rapid urbanization, skyscraper boom, modernization, successful hosting of the 1988 Summer Olympics and co-hosting of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. This growth was accompanied by a democratization and globalization that transformed the country from the destruction of the Korean War to a wealthy and developed country with a globally influential economy and prominent multinational conglomerates such as Samsung, LG, and Hyundai.〔(Park Chung-hee Admired for Making Something Out of Nothing ) The Korea Times, 2009-10-25〕 Also, the growth is very closely related to an $800 million aid Tokyo provided in compensation for Koreans forced into labour including comfort women and military service during the Japanese occupation in World War II, although the fact about the aid is scarcely recognized by, or is concealed for political reasons to Koreans. More specifically, the term refers to the economic growth of Seoul, through which the Han River flows, although it is generally used in reference to the country as a whole. Also, the "miracle" generally refers to the period between 1961 and 1996. The phrase comes from the "Miracle on the Rhine", used to refer to the economic rebirth of West Germany after World War II, resulting partially from the Marshall Plan. The "Miracle on the Han" is used to refer to the growth of postwar South Korea into the world's 11th largest economy and a role model for many developing countries in Asia.〔(S. Korea Is a Role Model for Africa: Obama ) The Korea Times, 2009-11-07〕 Seoul's infrastructure was destroyed by the Korean War and millions lived in poverty at the time, with thousands of unemployed people struggling to fulfill basic needs. When General Park Chung-hee seized power in 1961, South Korea had a per capita income of less than $80 per year. During that time, South Korea was mostly dependent on foreign aid, largely from the U.S.A. in exchange for South Korea's involvement in the Vietnam War.〔Cumings, Bruce. Korea's Place in the Sun: a Modern History. New York: Norton, 2005. Print.〕〔Korea: A Century of Change By Jürgen Kleiner〕 Government's Saemaeul movement focused on developing rural Korea. The strong leadership of the government, though criticized as repressive and heavy-handed, and the effective use of cheap labor, served as a catalyst for the South Korean economy. In less than four decades, Seoul was transformed into a global city, a center of business and commerce in Northeast Asia and a highly developed economic hub, laying the grounds for an advanced technological and communications infrastructure. Koreans consider this rapid growth a symbol of national pride and self-sufficience. Besides the Saemaeul movement, the Korean government carried out another effective economic development plan called the Five-Year Plan. There were more than five plans created, and they were designed to revive the economy. Each of the plans contributed greatly to industrialization and enlarging the marketplaces of South Korea. == Development during postwar governments (1953–1961) == In the aftermath of the Korean War, South Korea became increasingly authoritarian as a result of militant anti-Communist policies enacted by President Syngman Rhee. Despite these issues, the Rhee administration is noted for at least two achievements that aided economic growth. First, Rhee's firm leadership in the aftermath of the war allowed South Korea to stabilize itself. Secondly, the Rhee administration implemented an important land reform that provided for the redistribution of land, averting a potentially explosive social issue. However, when Rhee and the Liberal Party rigged the presidential election of 1960 in an attempt to consolidate their power, nationwide demonstrations led by angry students brought about the end of Rhee's regime, to be succeeded democratically by Chang Myon, the leader of the Democratic Party. However, with factional and other differences, economic and social problems continued to mount and in 1961, a military coup led by General Park Chung Hee overthrew the Democratic Party, giving rise to a military junta. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「Miracle on the Han River」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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