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韩国新村运动韩国新村运动，是20世纪60年代朝鲜战争后的一场重要的社会变革运动。
该运动涌现在韩国新村地区，被认为是韩国现代化进程中的一个重要里程碑。
本文将从背景、主要内容和影响三个方面来探讨韩国新村运动。
韩国新村运动的背景，可以追溯到20世纪60年代朝鲜战争后的韩国社会。
战后韩国遭受了严重的破坏，社会经济困难重重。
为了重建国家，政府推行了以经济工业为中心的发展战略。
然而，这一发展战略使得韩国城市化进程过于急促，导致城市的环境污染、社会不公等问题凸显。
作为反应，韩国新村运动崛起。
韩国新村运动的主要内容是通过自愿者、学生以及社区居民等参与者，在农村地区开展环境整治、社会服务和文化交流等活动。
他们通过种树、搞环保、做义工等方式，积极参与社会公益事业，推动社会进步。
这些活动不仅改善了韩国城乡环境，还加强了社区凝聚力，提升了居民的幸福感。
同时，韩国新村运动还倡导了一种简朴、环保的生活方式，引领了一种新的社会价值观。
韩国新村运动的影响深远。
首先，该运动促进了韩国城乡一体化的发展。
通过参与社会活动，农村地区的居民和城市居民之间的距离缩短，增进了相互理解和合作。
其次，韩国新村运动推动了环保意识的提高。
通过环保活动，人们更加关注环境保护，提倡绿色生活。
此外，韩国新村运动还对年轻一代的思想产生了深远的影响，激励他们积极参与社会事务，为社会发展贡献力量。
总之，韩国新村运动是一场积极向上的社会变革运动。
通过环境整治、社会服务和文化交流等活动，推动社会的进步和发展。
这场运动不仅改善了韩国城乡环境，促进了社区凝聚力的提升，还推动了环保意识的普及。
最终，韩国新村运动对韩国现代化进程产生了深远的影响，成为韩国社会变迁的一个重要里程碑。
韩国“新村运动”与中国新农村建设的差异比较【摘要】韩国的新村运动为我国新农村建设提供了较好的借鉴模式。
但因两国在社会制度、经济基础、建设目的、农村工业化道路等方面存在着较大差异，因此，我们必须充分了解两国新农村建设的不同国情，全面吸取韩国新村运动的经验和教训，促进我国新农村建设的可持续发展。
【关键词】新村运动新农村建设农民一、韩国“新村运动”概述韩国推行新村运动的起始时间是在上个世纪70年代（李相茂，2006）。
这是因为，韩国开展新村运动的构想，是由韩国总统朴正熙于1970年4月22日，在全国地方行政长官参加的抗旱对策会议上提出的，并由韩国政府于1971年正式发动。
韩国农业经济学家、曾任总统经济事务特别助理的朴振焕博士则认为，新村运动在20世纪70年代达到了顶峰，然后在80年代开始逐步衰退。
当然也有专家认为，该运动在80年代以后并未衰退，而是进入了自我调整和发展阶段（李水山，2006）。
韩国当时为什么要推行新村运动？中国社科院世界经济和政治研究所副研究员魏蔚博士用三句话简要概括了其历史背景：“首先是当时韩国城乡差距扩大，其次是社会生活伦理缺失，最后是农民出身的朴正熙试图通过这个政策改善统治，巩固权力基础。
”韩国新村运动的突出贡献在于，一是使农民收入大增，农民与城市居民的收入基本持平；二是使农村的基础建设基本完成，全部村庄都能通汽车，家家户户都用上了简易自来水，头顶水罐成为了历史；三是使农民在新村运动中树立了勤勉、自立和协作的新村精神（高秉雄，2009）。
二、韩国“新村运动”与中国“新农村建设”的差异比较上世纪50年代，我国曾多次使用过“建设社会主义新农村”、“新农村建设”的概念。
本文所讨论的是中共十六届五中全会以来我国所开展的新农村建设。
2005年10月11日，中共十六届五中全会通过了《第十一个五年规划的建议》（以下简称《建议》），其中指出：“建设社会主义新农村是我国现代化进程中的重大历史任务。
韩国新村运动兴衰来源：三农直通车韩国人金东俊，30多岁，生活在韩国最大的城市首尔。
每当提到新村运动，他总会想起一首歌：“黎明的钟声响起，又一个清晨破晓，让我们起床，建设新村。
我们的村子是生活的好地方，让我们用双手来建设……”20世纪70年代，金东俊还是韩国某个乡村小学的学生，也是个贪睡的少年。
每天清晨，村里大喇叭都会播出励志歌曲，提醒村民起床工作，也定时毁掉了他的睡梦。
这首由时任总统朴正熙作词作曲的《新村运动歌》，响彻韩国70年代的乡村，并作为新村运动的遗产之一，成为许多韩国人回想过往生活的一个标志，概括着韩国人对国家现代化建设过程中一段深刻的记忆。
共建“安乐窝”1962年通过军事政变上台的朴正熙，统治韩国18年，以强人政治作风，将韩国人均GDP从数十美元提高到1000美元。
1980年遇刺后，他留下诸多政治遗产，也留下了无穷的争议，新村运动即是其中之一。
有人将朴正熙政府推动新村运动的背景概括为三句话：“首先是当时韩国城乡差距扩大，其次是社会生活伦理缺失，其三是农民出身的朴正熙试图通过这个政策改善统治，巩固权力基础。
”早在新村运动开始前数年，这三个因素就在动摇执政的朴正熙政府的政治基础。
朴正熙70年代的经济顾问朴振焕回忆说，由于朴正熙上台后实行了劳动密集型和出口导向型的工业政策，韩国每年出口商品总额从1960年的3300万美元提高到1970年的8.82亿美元。
但在经济发展过程中，政府忽视了农村和农民的利益，导致农村地区和城市地区的经济发展逐渐出现差距，城乡收入差距逐步扩大，“城乡二元化”结构显现，使“现代化的城市生活与处于现代化前夜的农村生活之间的矛盾加剧”。
在农村，农民为生计所迫，很多人从事偷盗及倒卖军用物资等非法活动。
艰难的生活使农村原来的淳朴风气一扫而空，代之而起的是打架、酗酒、赌博、欺诈等严重影响社会风气的现象。
农村原有的传统社会美德已经难觅踪迹。
同时，到处泛滥的污染更让农村让人难以忍受。
Saemaul Undong in KoreaAt the end of the Asian continent is the Korean peninsula. 5000 years of culture and heritage is a part of the Korean people. A country colonized at the end of the 19th century. A land divided in half as a result of the cold war. A country that started as the poorest and now is the 12th largest economical powerhouse. The host country of the 88 Olympics and the 2002 FIFA World Cup. From rags to riches, Korea has shown enormous potential. We will like to show the basis of what made all this possible - Saemaul Undong.Korea's Saemaul UndongDespite all the invasions and war, Korea has maintained a unique culture that was not influenced by any of these incidents.However, the Japanese annexation at the end of the 19th century and the Korean War took away all that. Until the late 1960's, the Korean society was uprooted by differences in ideas and ravished by poverty. The per capita GNP at that time was 85 dollars. The majority of Korean people barely had enough to buy food.Since the Korean economy was based on agriculture, consistent floods and draught caused nationwide famine.Lethargy, chaos and frustration defined the Korean society at that time. The major concern of the government was to thwart poverty. Export manufactured products the main source of income growth. The 5-year economic plan that started in 1962 started to show results, and from the 1970s, the Korean economy began to take off.Due to this economic expansion, young people started flocking into the cities. In the 1960s, the government worked in increasing the production of foodstuffs. But premodern living environment still remained in rural communities.Until 1970, 80% of the rural communities had thatched roofs, and 80% were living with the help of oil lamps in place of electricity.The Birth of Saemaul UndongAfter the floods of 1969, the people were repairing roofs and roads without government aid. This caused great inspiration to President Park Jung Hee to help the rural community.President Park realized that government aid would be useless unless the people decided to do things byself-helping spirit. Moreover, motivating the rural community's self help and cooperation was the key to developing the rural areas.These ideas were the basis for Saemaul Undong.Implementing Saemaul UndongDuring the 1970's, the government had no funds to start the project. However, with a little government aid, there were many basic needs that could be improved. The government experimentally proposes the 10 major projects for improving rural areas. These include expanding and straightening local roads, improving roofs, kitchens and fences, opening laundry facilities, community wells, building bridges and improving water systems.And the 35 thousand rural villages received an average of 355 sacks of cement for free. The projects were under the sole custody of the village council. 16,000 villages, which are more than half of all the villages in the rural area, showed major improvements.The majority of the projects were done by village funds and used self-labor. During the second year of the nationwide project, villages with major improvements were supplied with extra 500 sacks of cement and another 1 ton of steel wire by the government. The government decided to help villages that help themselves.Thatched roofs and mud fences were replaced with modern tiles and cemented walls. Roadsides were expanded, riverbanks were repaired, and bridges were built in rural villages.The villages developed with blinding speed. The rural people regained their confidence. Lethargic neighbors were stimulated to develop their own villages. Korea's rural areas showed signs of urbanization and development.Gaining confidence on the 3rd year, the government decided to split the 35 thousand villages into 3 categories depending on their level of development. And there was a difference in the amount of government aid in the 3 different categories.Environment projects increased in size as the years progressed. Hosing and other facilities were restructured to fit the rural community. Modernization in kitchen and bathrooms along with new water pipelines were implemented. Community and public facilities such as village centers, multi purpose recreational centers along with public baths, warehouses and other public facilities were built.The success of the environmental projects led to the projects for increase productivity. The people repaved the small paths into roads, so farming vehicles could make way into the fields. The government played a major role for the increase in rural income. In 1974, the rural output reached unprecedented levels.Agricultural education caused a revolution in farming methods. Conventional farming methods for raisingrice and barely were radically changed to composite farming.Making agriculture complexes for profitable products such as mushrooms and tobacco helped to increase the overall income. Using greenhouses allowed the farmers to harvest fresh vegetables during the winter. Making community work places enabled the people to reduce unnecessary money loss due to individual labor.Raising cows, pigs and chicken allowed for more profits. Fishing villages changed their production methods from fishing to breeding fish.Moreover, developing watering systems, cleaning the streams and farming areas were the key developing points for increasing the productivity of the rural community.Big projects such as building roads and sewage systems were done as a joint venture with neighboring villages to reduce costs.Moreover, the government built factories at the rural areas to increase the income of rural areas. Saemaul factories gave women a workplace and a chance to increase the total income.As a result, rural income steadily increased. In 1974, the rural income surpassed the urban income. In 1978, 98% of all villages became economically self-reliant.The success of Saemaul Undong in the rural areas caused a spread to non-farming areas such as schools, work places, cities and factories, along with many other fields.The cities started the projects to stop corruption and to build a new metropolitan paradise.The three campaigns of Saemaul Undong consist of 3 components. They are mental, behavioral, and environmental initiatives.The mental campaign include better ties with neighbors, inheriting and advancing traditional ethics propped up by filial piety and strengthening community awareness.The behavioral campaign emphasized on public order on the streets, positive interactions, public manners, and prohibiting drunken misconduct.The environmental campaign stressed cleanliness of the area around an individual's home or business, controlling the street environment and developing greener cities and streams.At the workplace, the project concentrated on making healthy values and beliefs along with a decent social interaction between co-workers. Creating a oneness within the workplace, helping the rural community, helping the homeless, and staying in line were some of the project's objectives.The factory Saemaul Undong directed its energy to restoring the trust and affection of consumers and the general public as a whole.Emphasis was placed on consolidating the foundation for industrial peace and coexistence by bridging the gap in value systems between labor and management, and establishing sound corporate ethics. Moreover, rural community service was another way of establishing sound moral ethics.The Saemaul schools were the foundations of the Saemaul spirit. Students learned about Saemaul Undong and its contributions to society.Villages and work places provided further education of Library Saemaul Undong along with places for recreational activities.Especially, the rural libraries provided information for new methods of farming. This was a major breakthrough for the rural community, and was the reason for increased income.What is Saemaul Undong?Saemaul Undong did not start off as a major project. After 3 years of experimentation, the government realized that without the self-will of the people, Saemaul Undong would lead to failure.Saemaul Undong is not only an action based project, but also a mental reform based on the conviction that anything can be done and the will that we can do it.In other words, Saemaul Undong is a struggle for a better life, not only for the individual but also for the benefit of the society as a whole.Wealth is not only a material concept, but also a mental one. It is important not only for the people to lead better lives but also for their descendants as well. It is a project to build a foundation for a better life. A better life for the family and neighbors, along with society and the nation is the goal for Saemaul Undong. The 3 main values for Saemaul Undong are diligence, self-help and cooperation.Diligence leads to sincerity. As the phrase, "The early bird catches the worm." shows diligence leads to sincerity, a value that doesn't allow for falseness, hypocrisy and vanity.Self-help defines one's fate based on one's effort. The proverb, "Heaven helps those who help themselves." shows that one is the master of one's fate. One has to be totally independent and must not ask for help from the outside.Cooperation is based on a pursuit for community growth. "Two heads are better than one." As this proverb shows, community growth should be a team effort.Therefore, these 3 values and ethics of Saemaul Undong are the essence for a new society and building a prosperous nation.Ultimately, the goal of Saemaul Undong is building a united community and nation and storing peace and order to mankind.How did Saemaul Undong Practice?The prototype Saemaul Undong started as the government was being in charge while giving self-governance to the village council. The Ministry of Internal Affairs was in charge of the project. Other branches of the government took minor roles in the project for a smooth operation. County councils andprovince council also took part in this project. Town and village councils made a village executive committee to ensure the smooth operation of the project and the villages had a male and female Saemaul leader along with a municipal development committee.The development committee had a division of women and a division of youths along with other subcommittees. The village development committee made new plans and ran the other subcommittees. The committee's mission was to increase the income of the village and implementing new values and beliefs.Saemaul projects were based on the county council's decision and was needed authorization from the magistrate.The criteria for selecting new projects were based on the necessity for the residents, complementation of regional conditions serving all residents in the project area and the long-term effects of the project. Implementation of the projects starts as raising as much of the necessary funds as the residents can afford, applying for and receiving external assistance in the forms of raw materials, money and technology. Public servants are asked to visit, at least twice a month to check and guide the progress of the national initiative in their jurisdiction.A public employee who is a division chief is briefed monthly and there is an annual progress report. Stage evaluation was an important part of Saemaul Undong. There is a pre project report, an interim report and a post project report. The effects of the previous project were taken in deep consideration for the development of new projects. The post project reports were used widely as a merit system for village with achievements.Educating Saemaul LeadersAfter a year of experimentation, the government recognizes the importance of a leader. Villages with a leader followed the national guidelines properly but villages without one spent their resources uselessly. Therefore, the development and poor implementation of Saemaul Undong needed dedicated leaders for the cause.Since the government realized the importance for a leader, the government opened the training institute for Saemaul leaders in 1972. Each village had a male and female appointee.The leadership training emphasized on self-sacrifice and setting a positive example. Education took place in a communal camp, where they would learn teamwork and cooperation.Interactive education done by sharing success stories during small group discussions, and offers for continued guidance and assistance were given to the leaders. The leaders after the training were the main source of leadership and guidance for the other villagers.During a time where female involvement was limited, the involvement of the female population broughtradical changes. The women raised funds for the development of the village. They saved rice and put their energy in city-beautiful movements. Moreover, the women helped to ban gambling and drinking. The number of bars and pubs started to decline during this time.The education that was aimed for Saemaul leaders started to influence politicians, media people, religious leaders and foreigners. Politician's leaders that didn't show interest in Saemaul Undong were highly influenced by Saemaul educational system. This was a cause in an increase for Saemaul Undong funds and the reason why Saemaul Undong became a nationwide project.The Success of Saemaul Undong and its ProblemsThe success of Saemaul Undong has two major reasons.First was the policy of government using a competitive system that caused total involvement of the rural community. The inspired leadership of the government and the funding was a stimulus for the villagers. Moreover, praising and rewarding successful villages was another motivation for success.Second were the dedication of the Saemaul leaders and the total involvement of the villagers. The people were surprised by the results and felt accomplishment. This accomplishment led to self-confidence and this confidence gave birth to a purpose for success. People became diligent and understood the true meaning of cooperation.There was great success, but every achievement has its dark side.The total involvement of the government was the major source of success in the beginning but became the major setback.Standardized government planning based on the merit system became another problem. Success was only based on material wealth. This caused people to rely on outside funding and was a cause for the passive attitude of the people. Moreover, it was a major cause for environmental destruction along with the loss of tradition and culture.Challenges, endeavors and pioneering are the main ingredients of human history.In any era, in any country that has a successful race and people, it has a strong foundation of moral ethics and drive for success.A better life! A better life for the future!It has been 30 years since that slogan has driven the Korean people toward success. From a country with GNP less than 100 dollars to a country with a GNP of 10,000 dollars, this is the miracle done by the hands of the Korean people.Now for the prosperity for mankind, Saemaul Undong will provide the foundation. It is the wish of the Korean people that Saemaul Undong will be a key part in providing the world a chance to prosper andthrive. Thank you.。
韩国“新村运动”历史背景及发展简介从1970年到1982年，韩国在全国范围内开展了“新村运动”。
这项运动起源于农村，旨在改变农村环境，提高农民收入的运动为提高韩国农民水平，推动农村全面发展做出了贡献。
一、“新村运动”定义韩国的“新村运动”是指在政府援助下，地方农民通过自助、协作开展各项活动提高自身收入，整顿生产基础，改善生活环境，提高农民意识，活跃集体生活，从而全面改善农民生活质量的地区开发运动。
二、“新村运动”的原型韩国总统前总统朴正熙在考察庆尚北道清道郡一村庄时发现，该村农民自发组织起来，修缮村内桥梁和道路，改变村庄环境，当地农民呈现出蓬勃向上的生活态度。
朴进尔设想如果在全国农村开展这种建设运动，韩国农村地区会有很大改观。
在1970年4月召开的地方长官会议上，韩国政府正式提出了建设新农村运动，简称“新村运动”。
三、“新农村运动”发展简况（一）背景1945 年韩国光复后, 科技水平的提高推动了经济高速发展。
上世纪60年代后, 随着工业化城市化过程, 工农差距、城乡差距、地区差距拉大, 贫富矛盾加剧, 社会分配不公, 官员腐败,学潮频繁。
韩国出口导向型经济取得成功, 随着国际交流扩大, 科学技术频繁引进, 国内经济结构出现失调; 而国民伦理道德, 无法用金钱购买也无法引进, 只能靠自己的力量调整市场经济的负面影响。
同时, 政府有了雄厚的财力, 有能力支持农村建设, 客观的需要和实际可行, 催生了“新农村运动”。
“新农村运动”中设计实施了一系列农村开发项目, 围绕这些项目开发, 由政府支持、农民自主的家乡建设活动发动起来。
政府向全国所有村庄每村免费发放水泥400 袋, 平均每户4 袋水泥, 并规定只能用于修建桥梁、公共浴池、洗衣场、修筑河堤、村级公路、改善饮水条件和房屋等公共事业, 不得他用。
当年全国35000 个村中近半数村庄表现积极, 完全出乎政府预期。
1971 年, 政府进行了一项调查，根据实际表现把各村分成三类, 成绩最佳为自足村, 表现一般为自助村, 表现最差的为基础村。
韩国新村运动的做法和启示韩国新村运动始于上世纪70年代初，是由总统亲自倡导、政府强力推动、全体国民参与的一场轰轰烈烈的改革农业、改变农村、改造农民的大变革运动。
一、韩国新村运动的基本历程（一）历史背景。
60年代中期，韩国实施出口工业战略，在美国等国家的支持下，工业原始积累初具规模。
但农业落后，农民贫穷，工农脱节，城乡差距拉大，贫富差别悬殊。
人均国民收入只有85美元，农业劳动力占就业总人口的63%。
“住草屋，点油灯，吃两顿饭”是当时韩国农民的真实写照。
60年代末，80%的农户住茅草房，50%的村庄无法进汽车，20%的农户通电，80%的农民不能温饱，农民意识消极懒惰。
（二）战略转变。
1970年开始，朴正熙政府开始倡导“新村运动”，把实施“工农业均衡发展”放在首要地位，逐步实施了由先工业化发展战略，向工农并行发展战略的转变。
主要采取农村开发战略和精神开发战略与公民运动相结合，逐步实现了生活条件、居住环境的改变和经济的快速增长，国民精神也得到了极大提高。
（三）发展过程。
1970-1980年为启动推进阶段。
目标是改善农民生活生产条件，改屋顶、改厨房、改厕所、打水井、架桥修路等。
政府无偿提供部分水泥、钢筋等物资，激发村庄和农民自主建设的积极性和勤勉、自助、协作精神。
建立新村运动协会，形成自上而下的全国性网络，并且建立新村运动研修院，大批培养新村指导员。
在继续加大基础设施建设的同时，着力帮助农民增加收入。
1974年农民整体脱贫，城乡差距缩小。
1980-1990年为加速建设阶段。
大幅度调整新村运动的政策和措施，建立和完善全国性新村运动民间组织。
政府通过规划、协调、服务，提供必要的财政、物质、技术支持，着重调整农业结构，发展农村加工业，改善农民生活环境和文化环境，强化民间青年会、老人会和妇女会的自助合作精神。
1988年经济收入和生活水平已接近城市居民的生活水准。
1990年以后为全面发展阶段。
城市繁荣发展逐步向农村扩散，新村运动带有鲜明的社区文明建设与经济开发特征。
Saemaul Undong in KoreaAt the end of the Asian continent is the Korean peninsula. 5000 years of culture and heritage is a part of the Korean people. A country colonized at the end of the 19th century. A land divided in half as a result of the cold war. A country that started as the poorest and now is the 12th largest economical powerhouse. The host country of the 88 Olympics and the 2002 FIFA World Cup. From rags to riches, Korea has shown enormous potential. We will like to show the basis of what made all this possible - Saemaul Undong.Korea's Saemaul UndongDespite all the invasions and war, Korea has maintained a unique culture that was not influenced by any of these incidents.However, the Japanese annexation at the end of the 19th century and the Korean War took away all that. Until the late 1960's, the Korean society was uprooted by differences in ideas and ravished by poverty. The per capita GNP at that time was 85 dollars. The majority of Korean people barely had enough to buy food.Since the Korean economy was based on agriculture, consistent floods and draught caused nationwide famine.Lethargy, chaos and frustration defined the Korean society at that time. The major concern of the government was to thwart poverty. Export manufactured products the main source of income growth. The 5-year economic plan that started in 1962 started to show results, and from the 1970s, the Korean economy began to take off.Due to this economic expansion, young people started flocking into the cities. In the 1960s, the government worked in increasing the production of foodstuffs. But premodern living environment still remained in rural communities.Until 1970, 80% of the rural communities had thatched roofs, and 80% were living with the help of oil lamps in place of electricity.The Birth of Saemaul UndongAfter the floods of 1969, the people were repairing roofs and roads without government aid. This caused great inspiration to President Park Jung Hee to help the rural community.President Park realized that government aid would be useless unless the people decided to do things byself-helping spirit. Moreover, motivating the rural community's self help and cooperation was the key to developing the rural areas.These ideas were the basis for Saemaul Undong.Implementing Saemaul UndongDuring the 1970's, the government had no funds to start the project. However, with a little government aid, there were many basic needs that could be improved. The government experimentally proposes the 10 major projects for improving rural areas. These include expanding and straightening local roads, improving roofs, kitchens and fences, opening laundry facilities, community wells, building bridges and improving water systems.And the 35 thousand rural villages received an average of 355 sacks of cement for free. The projects were under the sole custody of the village council. 16,000 villages, which are more than half of all the villages in the rural area, showed major improvements.The majority of the projects were done by village funds and used self-labor. During the second year of the nationwide project, villages with major improvements were supplied with extra 500 sacks of cement and another 1 ton of steel wire by the government. The government decided to help villages that help themselves.Thatched roofs and mud fences were replaced with modern tiles and cemented walls. Roadsides were expanded, riverbanks were repaired, and bridges were built in rural villages.The villages developed with blinding speed. The rural people regained their confidence. Lethargic neighbors were stimulated to develop their own villages. Korea's rural areas showed signs of urbanization and development.Gaining confidence on the 3rd year, the government decided to split the 35 thousand villages into 3 categories depending on their level of development. And there was a difference in the amount of government aid in the 3 different categories.Environment projects increased in size as the years progressed. Hosing and other facilities were restructured to fit the rural community. Modernization in kitchen and bathrooms along with new water pipelines were implemented. Community and public facilities such as village centers, multi purpose recreational centers along with public baths, warehouses and other public facilities were built.The success of the environmental projects led to the projects for increase productivity. The people repaved the small paths into roads, so farming vehicles could make way into the fields. The government played a major role for the increase in rural income. In 1974, the rural output reached unprecedented levels.Agricultural education caused a revolution in farming methods. Conventional farming methods for raisingrice and barely were radically changed to composite farming.Making agriculture complexes for profitable products such as mushrooms and tobacco helped to increase the overall income. Using greenhouses allowed the farmers to harvest fresh vegetables during the winter. Making community work places enabled the people to reduce unnecessary money loss due to individual labor.Raising cows, pigs and chicken allowed for more profits. Fishing villages changed their production methods from fishing to breeding fish.Moreover, developing watering systems, cleaning the streams and farming areas were the key developing points for increasing the productivity of the rural community.Big projects such as building roads and sewage systems were done as a joint venture with neighboring villages to reduce costs.Moreover, the government built factories at the rural areas to increase the income of rural areas. Saemaul factories gave women a workplace and a chance to increase the total income.As a result, rural income steadily increased. In 1974, the rural income surpassed the urban income. In 1978, 98% of all villages became economically self-reliant.The success of Saemaul Undong in the rural areas caused a spread to non-farming areas such as schools, work places, cities and factories, along with many other fields.The cities started the projects to stop corruption and to build a new metropolitan paradise.The three campaigns of Saemaul Undong consist of 3 components. They are mental, behavioral, and environmental initiatives.The mental campaign include better ties with neighbors, inheriting and advancing traditional ethics propped up by filial piety and strengthening community awareness.The behavioral campaign emphasized on public order on the streets, positive interactions, public manners, and prohibiting drunken misconduct.The environmental campaign stressed cleanliness of the area around an individual's home or business, controlling the street environment and developing greener cities and streams.At the workplace, the project concentrated on making healthy values and beliefs along with a decent social interaction between co-workers. Creating a oneness within the workplace, helping the rural community, helping the homeless, and staying in line were some of the project's objectives.The factory Saemaul Undong directed its energy to restoring the trust and affection of consumers and the general public as a whole.Emphasis was placed on consolidating the foundation for industrial peace and coexistence by bridging the gap in value systems between labor and management, and establishing sound corporate ethics. Moreover, rural community service was another way of establishing sound moral ethics.The Saemaul schools were the foundations of the Saemaul spirit. Students learned about Saemaul Undong and its contributions to society.Villages and work places provided further education of Library Saemaul Undong along with places for recreational activities.Especially, the rural libraries provided information for new methods of farming. This was a major breakthrough for the rural community, and was the reason for increased income.What is Saemaul Undong?Saemaul Undong did not start off as a major project. After 3 years of experimentation, the government realized that without the self-will of the people, Saemaul Undong would lead to failure.Saemaul Undong is not only an action based project, but also a mental reform based on the conviction that anything can be done and the will that we can do it.In other words, Saemaul Undong is a struggle for a better life, not only for the individual but also for the benefit of the society as a whole.Wealth is not only a material concept, but also a mental one. It is important not only for the people to lead better lives but also for their descendants as well. It is a project to build a foundation for a better life. A better life for the family and neighbors, along with society and the nation is the goal for Saemaul Undong. The 3 main values for Saemaul Undong are diligence, self-help and cooperation.Diligence leads to sincerity. As the phrase, "The early bird catches the worm." shows diligence leads to sincerity, a value that doesn't allow for falseness, hypocrisy and vanity.Self-help defines one's fate based on one's effort. The proverb, "Heaven helps those who help themselves." shows that one is the master of one's fate. One has to be totally independent and must not ask for help from the outside.Cooperation is based on a pursuit for community growth. "Two heads are better than one." As this proverb shows, community growth should be a team effort.Therefore, these 3 values and ethics of Saemaul Undong are the essence for a new society and building a prosperous nation.Ultimately, the goal of Saemaul Undong is building a united community and nation and storing peace and order to mankind.How did Saemaul Undong Practice?The prototype Saemaul Undong started as the government was being in charge while giving self-governance to the village council. The Ministry of Internal Affairs was in charge of the project. Other branches of the government took minor roles in the project for a smooth operation. County councils andprovince council also took part in this project. Town and village councils made a village executive committee to ensure the smooth operation of the project and the villages had a male and female Saemaul leader along with a municipal development committee.The development committee had a division of women and a division of youths along with other subcommittees. The village development committee made new plans and ran the other subcommittees. The committee's mission was to increase the income of the village and implementing new values and beliefs.Saemaul projects were based on the county council's decision and was needed authorization from the magistrate.The criteria for selecting new projects were based on the necessity for the residents, complementation of regional conditions serving all residents in the project area and the long-term effects of the project. Implementation of the projects starts as raising as much of the necessary funds as the residents can afford, applying for and receiving external assistance in the forms of raw materials, money and technology. Public servants are asked to visit, at least twice a month to check and guide the progress of the national initiative in their jurisdiction.A public employee who is a division chief is briefed monthly and there is an annual progress report. Stage evaluation was an important part of Saemaul Undong. There is a pre project report, an interim report and a post project report. The effects of the previous project were taken in deep consideration for the development of new projects. The post project reports were used widely as a merit system for village with achievements.Educating Saemaul LeadersAfter a year of experimentation, the government recognizes the importance of a leader. Villages with a leader followed the national guidelines properly but villages without one spent their resources uselessly. Therefore, the development and poor implementation of Saemaul Undong needed dedicated leaders for the cause.Since the government realized the importance for a leader, the government opened the training institute for Saemaul leaders in 1972. Each village had a male and female appointee.The leadership training emphasized on self-sacrifice and setting a positive example. Education took place in a communal camp, where they would learn teamwork and cooperation.Interactive education done by sharing success stories during small group discussions, and offers for continued guidance and assistance were given to the leaders. The leaders after the training were the main source of leadership and guidance for the other villagers.During a time where female involvement was limited, the involvement of the female population broughtradical changes. The women raised funds for the development of the village. They saved rice and put their energy in city-beautiful movements. Moreover, the women helped to ban gambling and drinking. The number of bars and pubs started to decline during this time.The education that was aimed for Saemaul leaders started to influence politicians, media people, religious leaders and foreigners. Politician's leaders that didn't show interest in Saemaul Undong were highly influenced by Saemaul educational system. This was a cause in an increase for Saemaul Undong funds and the reason why Saemaul Undong became a nationwide project.The Success of Saemaul Undong and its ProblemsThe success of Saemaul Undong has two major reasons.First was the policy of government using a competitive system that caused total involvement of the rural community. The inspired leadership of the government and the funding was a stimulus for the villagers. Moreover, praising and rewarding successful villages was another motivation for success.Second were the dedication of the Saemaul leaders and the total involvement of the villagers. The people were surprised by the results and felt accomplishment. This accomplishment led to self-confidence and this confidence gave birth to a purpose for success. People became diligent and understood the true meaning of cooperation.There was great success, but every achievement has its dark side.The total involvement of the government was the major source of success in the beginning but became the major setback.Standardized government planning based on the merit system became another problem. Success was only based on material wealth. This caused people to rely on outside funding and was a cause for the passive attitude of the people. Moreover, it was a major cause for environmental destruction along with the loss of tradition and culture.Challenges, endeavors and pioneering are the main ingredients of human history.In any era, in any country that has a successful race and people, it has a strong foundation of moral ethics and drive for success.A better life! A better life for the future!It has been 30 years since that slogan has driven the Korean people toward success. From a country with GNP less than 100 dollars to a country with a GNP of 10,000 dollars, this is the miracle done by the hands of the Korean people.Now for the prosperity for mankind, Saemaul Undong will provide the foundation. It is the wish of the Korean people that Saemaul Undong will be a key part in providing the world a chance to prosper andthrive. Thank you.。
