Historical Significance
Economic Development Aspects
The economic achievements of the Saemaul Undong Movement (“SMU movement”) can be divided into terms of the overall national economy and individual economic entities and discussed from the angles of economic development, increase in income and alleviation of the gap between urban and rural areas, balanced development among regions and capital formation
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Economic DevelopmentWhile the SMU movement was underway, the average annual economic growth rates were very high at 10.2% and 6.5% during 1972-1976 and 1977-1985, respectively. Increase in income and savings in rural areas brought about capital formation and employment, contributing to industrial development as higher living standards led to an increase in effective demand for industrial products. -
Alleviation of the Income Gap between Urban and Rural AreasIn the mid-1970s, the current income and real income in rural areas caught up with those of urban workers, narrowing the urban-rural income gap. Per capita real income of farm households increased from 61.7% to 85% of per capita real income of urban households in 1970 and 1974-1975, respectively. Between 1974 and 1977, the current income of farm households exceeded that of urban households. -
Balanced Regional DevelopmentUnder the SMU movement, villages were categorized into basic, self-help and self-reliant villages depending on their level of development and were provided with the kind of support appropriate to the state of each village. In 1972, only 7% of the 33,267 villages nationwide qualified as self-reliant villages. By 1977, however, two-thirds of all villages had developed into self-reliant villages. -
Capital FormationIn addition to physical capital such as farm roads, roads and irrigation facilities, the savings of farm households enabled by an increase in income from Saemaul projects became an important part of the circulating capital for farm villages. Changes in living due to the supply of electricity and telephones also helped enhance the productivity of farm activities.
Social Development Aspects
The SMU movement had both a direct and indirect impact on Korea’s social development which may be studied in terms of demographic changes, expansion of production infrastructure, improvements in housing and living conditions, betterment of transportation and communication environment and an increase in welfare and living standards.
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Demographic ChangesDuring the SMU movement, the crude birth rate – the number of live births occurring per 1,000 population at a given year – decreased by 16.5% from 23.7 in 1971 to 19.8 in 1976. The crude death rate also decreased by roughly 10% from 9.0 in 1971 to 8.1 in 1976, while average life expectancy increased due to better living conditions and welfare. -
Expansion of Production InfrastructureBetween 1971 and 1976, the proportion of readjusted arable land almost doubled from 14.6% to 25.3%, while production infrastructures were expanded by fully equipping farm villages with irrigation facilities including marshes, reservoirs for irrigation, waterways and drains. Mechanization of farming also dramatically increased agricultural productivity. -
Improvements in Housing and Living ConditionsLiving conditions improved dramatically due to major projects implemented by the SU movement to improve restrooms, roofs, fences, village roads, sewers and small rivers. Within five years from 1971, 30% of thatched roofs in farm villages were replaced with tile or slate roofs, while the electricity supply was completed by 1981. -
Improvements in Transportation and CommunicationWith the opening of village roads and entrance roads, it became possible for villagers to engage in activities outside their villages using vehicles (such as village buses) and access to markets improved. In terms of the communication environment, wider use of radios and TVs greatly improved access to information and cultural experiences for villagers in rural areas. -
Improvements in Welfare and Living StandardsIn addition to an increase in income, the SMU movement resulted in an increase in purchase of daily supplies. The use of village welfare facilities such as village halls and nurseries increased significantly, while the percentage of villages with hospitals and pharmacies more than doubled between 1971 and 1976 from 8.5% to 18.4%.
Mindset Development Aspects
The Saemaul spirit of hard work, self-help and cooperation led to rational and productive ways of thinking, and contributed to changing the mindset of the Korean people by instilling a “can do” spirit.
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Putting the Saemaul Spirit into ActionBy practicing the Saemaul spirit of hard work, self-help and cooperation, villagers began to have an enterprising, active and scientific mindset, while the Saemaul Undong Training not only for farmers but people of all social standings helped to greatly increase the democratic consciousness and rationality of the Korean people. -
Changes in LifestyleAn increase in protein intake and other dietary improvements were made as an indirect consequence of livestock promotion projects and nutrition improvement projects of the Saemaul Women’s Association. Interest in health issues also increased and people began to take actions for the betterment of their health. -
Changes in Personal RelationshipsCommunity members engaged in various forms of communication to solve issues and agenda items of the community, while village meetings held for Saemaul projects provided a platform of democratic communication among villagers. -
Changes in Transactional RelationshipsDistribution structures and transactional relationships became more effective as the sale of products took place through community compradors contrary to individual transactions of the past.
