Page 44 - A Dissertation for Doctor of Philosophy

73
significantly higher than in any era in modern Korean history. It is was a high calling to
rehabilitate Korea, a nation that suffered from the colonization of Japan, a nation divided

between the Communists in the North and Democrats in the South, a nation devastated and poor

in the wake of the Korean War. The economic development initiated by the military

governments was miraculous. The speed and size of economic growth in Korea has been

74
“regarded as a miracle.” Corresponding to the exponential economic growth, was the

ubiquitous cultural change in Korean society during that same period. Colossal social change

happened as a result in the process of the rush-hash industrialization.

Urbanization in Korea

Urbanization is one of the most conspicuous phenomena that occurred over the fifty years

75
of industrialization. Feudal cities of the pre-industrial period changed little. Since 1960s,

however, the cities in Korea exploded with people. While 28.0 percent of the population lived in

urban areas in 1960, that number increased to 41.1 percent in 1970, 57.2 percent in 1980, and

73
Hy-Sop Lim, Hankuk-eui Sahoe Byundong-kwa Gachigwan (The social change in
Korea and value) (Seoul: Nanam Press, 1995), 17-22. He divulges five developmental values in
the modern history of Korea: “civilization, independence, democratization, economic growth,
and social development.”

74
Yong-Woong Kim, “Industrialization and Urbanization in Korea,” Korea Journal 39
(Autumn 1999), 39. He reports statistics by quoting the Korea Statistical Yearbook, 1962-1995,
prepared by National Statistical Office. He writes “Korea’s GNP increased by about 200 times
from US$2.3 billion in 1962 to US$457.9 billion in 1995. Per capita GNP has increased by 115.8
times from US$87 to US$ 10,076 over the same period. During this period, the Korean economy
has grown at around 10% per annum.”

75
For a history of urbanization in Korea including Feudal cities, see Kim, Ui Won,
Hankuk Kukto Kaebalsa Yunku (A historical study of Korea’s national territory development)
(Seoul: Taehak Tosu Publishing Co., 1982); Kim, In, Tosi Chirihak Wonron (Theories in Urban
Geography) (Seoul: Bubmun Sa, 1991); and Kim, Yong Woong and Kim, Dong Ju, “Socio-
Economic and Environmental Implications of Industrialization in Korea,” Kukto Yungu (The
Korea Spatial Planning Review) 24 (1995): 39-62.