(1) Promotion of Economic Development

From the beginning of 1960, after restoration of much of the damages from the Korean War, a policy for full-fledged economic development was promoted. The Third Republic, established through the May 16 coup d' tat in 1961, was especially successful at enforcing the framework for economic development through a number of five-year economic programs.
The basic direction of economic development at this time was to build factories with foreign capital and to export goods produced to foreign markets. This was an inevitable method considering the reality of a country lacking in natural resources and without capital and technology.

Koreans participated enthusiastically in the economic development policy which was strongly promoted by the government. Thus, 20 years after the beginning of economic development, the rapidly growing power of Korea became the focus of attention worldwide. In particular, as the growth of exports geometrically increased, Korea became an important constituent in the world market.
Economic development brought big changes in Korea's industrial structure and to the lives of the people. The backwardness in industry was overcome and an industrial structure of an advanced nation was developed, with the automotive and electronics industries at its center.
At the same time, the daily lives of the people were stabilized and the number of people who were able to enjoy a life of leisure increased. Furthermore, a network of roads was completed which connected the entire country and made the whole nation into a one-day traveling space. This has greatly contributed to narrowing the differences in cultural standards of the cities and farming villages.

(2) Expansion of the Saemaul (New Community) Movement

In the early 70's, the government developed the Saemaul (New Community) Movement in order to modernize the farming and fishing villages. This movement was created to awaken the people and to improve their living standard through a spirit of diligence, self-help and cooperation among farmers and fishermen.
The government improved the living conditions of the farming and fishing villages and with positive responses from farmers and fishermen, their living conditions and income standards rose remarkably.
When the Saemaul Movement in the farming and fishing villages began to show signs of success, cities and factories also began to carry out some of the same practices. In this way, the spirit of "My Homeland And My Workplace Must Be Cared For By My Own Hands" was implanted in the hearts of the people nationwide. This has become the basis of Korea's social and economic development.

(3) Inroads Overseas by Enterprises and Labor Force

As the economy developed through the strong will of the people, Korea's enterprises and labor force began to reach the nations worldwide. Korea's trading enterprises have opened branches in the important cities around the world, and large domestic enterprises have established electronic goods factories in the United States and Europe. Korea's construction industry, in particular, with its outstanding technology and reputation have made advances into Southwest Asia, Africa, Southeast Asia and South America, where they are actively engaged in various construction projects. Korean workers and technicians have also made inroads overseas and at one time exceeded 200,000 persons.

Agricultural and fishing industries also made active advances abroad. Experts in agricultural technology have not only been dispatched to Africa to help agricultral developments there but Korea's ships have made their way through the five oceans where they are engaged in catching fish. The reason why Korea's enterprises and labor force have been able to make such advances into the world stage is because Korea's power as a nation has progressed to such a great extent. Thus, Korea is now in a position to give assistance to others. Koreans can say that this bespeaks of their generosity and the diligence of its people.

(4) Development of Korean Societies Abroad

The intelligence and diligence of Koreans are manifested not only by people at home but also by those residing in foreign countries. The Korean societies which have sprung up during the 50 years since restoration in Japan, the United States, China, and the Soviet Union have made steady progress.
At present, there are approximately 700,000 Koreans residing in Japan. They are mostly the people and their descendants who sailed there to find a means of living or were forcibly taken there during the period of Japanese colonization. The Korean residents in Japan who have been discriminated against since the colonial days have made their way advancing with patience and diligence. They have thus built the social and economic foundations for their lives which even the Japanese cannot ignore and have proudly become a Korean society which also contributes to the development of their homeland.
The 1,800,000 Koreans who now reside in the U.S. are composed mostly of people who immigrated since restoration and their children.
They have overcome the prejudice of a white-centered society with their patience and fighting spirit and have courageously obtained a secure life. Today, Korean communities exist in many of the large cities in the United States.
There are about 1,950,000 Koreans also living in the area of Yuanbian in Jilin, China. These people have formed their own autonomous district and manage all aspects of government, economic, social, and cultural activities through their own strength. There are also 460,000 Koreans residing in the central Asia area of the former Soviet Union. These people originally resided in the Maritime Province until they were forced to resettle in central Asia by the Soviet Union in 1930. In spite of this, however, they overcame this unfamiliar environment with their strong wills and have now secured prosperous lives for themselves.
In addition, Korean societies are expanding to every part of the world. Today's Korean societies are overcoming difficulties with their outstanding abilities and will, and building a reputation of proud Koreans.