| S Korea just a generation ago was a developing world, with a harsh dictator. Two generations ago, it was really at the rock bottom nation on the globe in terms of any ranking you can think of (poverty/violence/dictatorship/low-education/etc). Pick any poor nation in Asia/Africa and it was probably doing better than S Korea. Remember these:
History of Korean War,
there's no much natural resource to sell off,
with 3 powerful nations (who all have either invaded Korea in the past and view it as a potential target) nearby,
with N Korea 30 miles from Seoul, AND
(get this) no escape route over land in case of a military conflict (S Korea is pretty much an island now and you canNOT walk/drive to flee S Korea), they better really really get their house in order to survive. Younger S Korean sociologists/commentators lament about how the intense competition is driving people to commit suicides (yes tragic) but they forget many, many more people died/suffered from poverty/basic-medical-care not that long ago. With all these in context, no wonder they work. Btw, it's really really said for older S Korean that are passing these days. They really suffered hard lives and just when their older kids/grandkids are enjoying abundant lives, but they can't really enjoy as much due to age. |