Miracle On The Han River - Park Chung-hee Rule (1963-1979)

Park Chung-hee Rule (1963-1979)

One of the most important people that contributed to the Miracle on the Han River was Park Chung-Hee. Under the rule of Park Chung-hee, South Korea began to make a dramatic recovery in its economy. Park Chung-hee announced the first 5-year Economic Development Plan to mobilize all of its resources in establishing a self-supporting industrial economy. Although he had many plans and contributions to Korea's economic revitalization, the most important thing that Park Chung-hee brought to Korea was self-confidence. This psychological boost gave Koreans hope and motivation in its path to economic success. "Treat employees like family" was Park's new motto, which also led to Korea's economic success. With this motto, Korean workers were 2.5 times more productive than American workers even though Korean workers were paid one-tenth of American wages.

During Park's rule, Korea suffered a very authoritarian leadership. Under the Park government, there was a huge censorship in the press and media. In his program of Yushin Kaehyuk (Revitalizing Reforms), he caused Korea Cinema to enter into a depression period. Many consider this as one of the lowest periods in the history of Korean cinema. Because of his strong feelings towards anti-communism, he would censor all of media and restrict freedom of press. Disregarding human rights and violations, Park would utilize the abundant supply of cheap labor and place his foremost priority on Korea's economic restoration. Although he was successful in bringing economic recovery to Korea, he trampled on human's rights and often imprisoned anybody who would question his rule. There was no freedom of speech under Park Chung-hee's rule. Park Chung-hee's rule came to an end on October 26, 1979 when he was killed by his closest friend, Kim Jaegyu. Many praise him for the contributions he made to Korea's economy and its recovery. Some even give him the title as the greatest South Korean president for all the industrial and economical growth South Korea experienced in his rule, but many criticize him for his harsh and cruel dictatorship. But one thing is certain; Korea would not have gone through an economic revolution if it weren't for this man. Despite all of his harsh and cruel policies, he is to be credited for Korea's economic success.