國內強烈民族主義的氛圍以及外部國際環境的形塑,一直交錯編織地主導著南韓的經濟發展策略。在冷戰情勢的外部環境下,南韓以民族主義作爲精神號召,扭曲一般市場機制,由政府調配可動員資源,集中火力發展策略產業。雖然在當時獨特的時空背景下,南韓經濟的確快速地持續成長,但也因爲集中發展的策略而形成獨特的財閥經濟。在後冷戰外部環境轉變的同時,原有政商相依下形成的財閥經濟,不僅造成國內政經社會的扭曲發展,也面臨了全球化市場競爭的挑戰。雖然因而在1997年陷入金融危機而求助於國際貨幣基金會(International Monetary Fund, IMF),但IMF所施予的制約條件卻也成爲一個重要的外部壓力,與內部民族主義支持下的政經改革企圖相結合,成爲重塑南韓民族主義財閥經濟在全球化下再精鍊的重要力量。
Nationalism and globalization have been two critical factors of the Chaebol economy in South Korea. In the Cold War era, the vehement nationalism in South Korea allowed its government to distort the normal market mechanism, and mobilized all available recourses to support selected industries and targeted enterprises. By doing so, South Korea did experience a rapid and sustained economic growth, but the Chaebol economy was therefore formed. When it came to the Post Cold War era, the distorted domestic political, social and economic structures caused by the Chaebol economy not only gradually provoked the public’s discontent, but also faced the challenge from globalization. Facing the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, South Korea reluctantly asked IMF for help, which was definitely a big slap on their face. But this external pressure from IMF and nationalism worked together for South Korean's structural reform, and the two forces have formed a new competitive Chaebol economy.