- 期刊
The Challenging Spirit of Koreans Contributed to Korea's Economic Development in the 1960s
摘要
After World War II, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world, with a per capita GDP of less than $100 in 1960. But within just 50 years, South Korea achieved economic growth that astonished the world, earning it the nickname "Miracle on the Han River". Many researchers have explained this phenomenon from political, economic, and social perspectives, and also through the lens of the developmental state theory. In this article, we will explain the driving force behind South Korea's rapid economic development from a cultural and spiritual perspective - the spirit of challenge, the willingness to take risks in an unfavorable context, and the refusal to be deterred by barriers and difficulties in order to achieve success. Over the past half century, South Korea has been a representative country that has risen to success thanks to this spirit of challenge, ceaseless effort across all areas of politics, economics, society, culture, and education. This spirit of challenge has transformed South Korea's economic landscape, turning the impossible into the possible, transforming it from an aid recipient country to a donor country. This spirit is manifested from ordinary citizens in their daily lives to politicians and business leaders. This article will explain and provide concrete examples of this spirit of challenge during South Korea's developmental period starting in the 1960s.