Teaching East Asia: Korea Teaching East Asia: Korea | Page 93

believing that it was the only way to overcome the lack of natural resources and the limitations of a
small domestic market. He has laid a foundation for the continued economic development of South
Korea.
Since 1993, democratization progressed with the election of civilian presidents. South Koreans have
elected three presidents from conservative parties and three presidents from progressive parties. In
spite of their different views and conflicts, both conservative and progressive has contributed to the
development of democracy.
3.5.4
Support by the International Community
When the Korean War broke out in 1950, 16 countries of the free world led by the United States sent
1.9 million soldiers to the Korean peninsula to defend South Korea from the aggression by North
Korea and communist China. The United States lost 36,940 American soldiers. South Korea survived
with the support of the international community.
Even after the Korean War, South Korea succeed in its economic development at the initial stage
mainly with economic aid from the United States and at the later stage mainly with international trade
with foreign countries including the United States.
Therefore, the current development of South Korea would not be possible without the support of the
international community.
3-6. Educational Lessons from South Korea’s successful development?
Now we understand that South Korea’s successful development is very unique and unprecedented.
Let’s think about what we can learn from this story.
Firstly, we can learn that the fate of a county mainly depends on the attitude of its people. In spite of
unfavorable environmental conditions such as a small territory, scarce natural resources, and constant
threats from North Korea, South Korea overcame all these difficulties with a strong will and
determination of its people and achieved its goal.
Secondly, we can learn that democracy and a market economy prevail over communism and a controlled
economy. South Korea and North Korea had been one country for 1,500 years. Their people are the same.
The only differences are their systems. Now North Korea is regarded as one of the most failed countries,
while South Korea is regarded as a successful country. A comparison of the two Koreas is the clearest
example that a combination of democracy and a market economy is a better system.
Thirdly, the contribution of donor nations in the international community to countries in need is in the contributing
nation’s interest in the long run. For example, a small country as the Netherlands made a great contribution to the
survival and successful development of South Korea by sending 5,322 Dutch soldiers and six naval vessels to
defend South Korea from the aggression by North Korea in the Korean War, and provided economic aid for South
Korea for quite a long time. Thanks to the support of the international community including the Netherlands,
South Korea has achieved economic development and political progress. Now, look at the benefit for the
Netherlands for sending troops and using taxpayers' money for South Korea. The trade between the
Netherlands and South Korea and the investment of South Korea to the Netherlands created tens of
thousands of jobs in the Netherlands. In addition, democracy and the market economy system that the
Netherlands upholds became stronger with the existence of South Korea with their shared interests and
values.