Skip to main content

Economic Development and Poverty Reduction in Korea: Governing Multifunctional Institutions

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Developmental Pathways to Poverty Reduction

Part of the book series: Developmental Pathways to Poverty Reduction ((POD))

Abstract

To fight poverty, it is necessary for developing countries — where a majority of the poor live — to strive for economic development. What makes this task harder is that economic development does not necessarily reduce poverty or income inequality. The challenge here is to combine poverty reduction and economic growth. With this in mind, this chapter examines the Republic of Korea’s development strategy, which transformed one of Asia’s poorest nations in the 1950s into an industrialized country with low poverty rates and reserves of high human capital.

This chapter was published in Development and Change, 40(July), 769–92. It is based on the research commissioned by the UNRISD programme on Poverty Reduction and Policy Regimes. The authors would like to thank the anonymous referees for their comments. Thanks are also due to Yusuf Bangura for useful comments. Usual caveats are applied.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Adelman, I. 1997. Social Development in Korea, 1953–1993. In D. Cha, K. Kim and D. Perkins (eds), The Korean Economy1945–1995. Seoul: Korea Development Institute, pp. 509–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cho, D. 1997. Hanguk Chaebol (Korean Chaebol). Seoul: Maeil Kyungje Shinmunsa (in Korean).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cho, S. 2003. Nongji GaeHyokkwa Hangukui Chabonjuui (Land Reform and Capitalism in Korea). In C. Yoo (ed.), The History of the Korean Development Model and its Crisis. Seoul: Cobook (in Korean), pp. 285–314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cho, S. and Y. Oh. 2003. Apch’uk Seonjangeul Wihan Cheonjechogeonui Hyungseong (The Formation of Some Preconditions for Condensed Growth in the 1950s), Donghyanggwa Chonmang, 59, 258–302 (in Korean).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dasgupta, P. and D. Ray. 1987. Inequality as a Determinant of Malnutrition and Unemployment Policy. The Economic Journal, 97(385), 177–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deininger, K. and H. Binswanger. 1999. The Evolution of the World Bank’s Land Policy: Principles, Experience and Future Challenges. The World Bank Research Observer, 14(2), 247–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, P.B. 1995. Embedded Autonomy: States and Industrial Transformation. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerschenkron, A. 1962. Economic Backwardness in Historical Perspective: A Book of Essays. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, R., G. White and H.-J. Kwon. 1998. The East Asian Welfare Model: Welfare Orientalism and the State. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gough, I. and G. Wood. 2004. Insecurity and Welfare Regimes in Asia, Africa and Latin America: Social Policy in Development Contexts. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grindle, M.S. 2004. Good Enough Governance: Poverty Reduction and Reform in Developing Countries. Governance, 17(4), 525–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haggard, S. 1994. Macroeconomic Policy and Adjustment in Korea, 1970–1990. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Institute for International Development and Korean Development Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haggard, S. and C.I. Moon. 1990. Institutions and Economic Policy: Theory and a Korean Case Study. World Politics, 42(2), 210–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holliday, I. 2000. Productivist Welfare Capitalism: Social Policy in East Asia. Political Studies, 48(4), 706–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hwang, H. 1985. Hanguk Nonji Kaehyuk Yeongu (A Study on Land Reform in Korea) In J. Choi (ed.), Hanguk Hyundaesa (A Modern History of Korea). Seoul: Yeoleum, pp. 479–503 (in Korean).

    Google Scholar 

  • Im, H. 1987. The Rise of Bureaucratic Authoritarianism in South Korea. World Politics, 39(2), pp. 231–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, C. 1999. The Developmental State: Odyssey of a Concept In M. Woo-Cummings (ed.), The Developmental State. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, pp. 32–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kang, K., H. Na and H. Chong. 1998. Silupgye ogdeung Hakgyo Cheonmum Kyogwaseo Byeonch’on Yeongu (A Study on Changes in Vocational High School Textbooks). Seoul: Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (in Korean).

    Google Scholar 

  • KEDI. 2005a. Hanguk Kyoyuk 60 Nyun Seonjange Kwanhan Yeongu (Analysis of the Growth of Korean Education for Sixty Years). Seoul: Korean Education Development Institute (in Korean).

    Google Scholar 

  • KEDI. 2005b. Brief Statistics on Korean Education. Seoul: Korean Education Development Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, H. 2002. Chiuk Hunryun Bunyaui Cheonbuwa Kiupgan Partnership Yeongu (Research on the Partnership between the Government and Companies for Vocational Training). Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Korean Association of Public Administration, Seoul. December.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, H. and B. Kim. 1984. Kyeonje Balcheongwa Migok Cheongchaek (Economic Development and Rice Policy). Seoul: Korea Rural Economic Institute (in Korean).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, I. 1991. 70 Nyondae Saemaul Undonggui Cheongaegwacheonggwa Nongch’eon Sahoeui byeonhwa (Saemaul Movements and Change in Rural Communities in the 1970s in Korea) In the Academy of Korean Studies (ed.), Haebanghu Dosi Seongchanggwa Chieoksahoeui Byonhwa (Urban Growth and Regional Change after the 1940s). Seongnam: AKS, pp, 121–74 (in Korean).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J. 1975. Divided Korea: The Politics of Development1945–1972. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J. 1992. Hanguk Uilyoboheome Gwanhan Nonchaeng (Analysis of Arguments on Medical Insurance Policy in Korea). Seoul: Sungkyunkwan University (unpublished manuscript) (in Korean).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, S. 1997. Nongji Kaehyuk Yeongu (A Study of Land Reform in Korea) In K. Kim (ed.), Essays on Korean Economic History. Seoul: Areum, pp. 345–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, Y. 1993. Silukgye Kodeunghakkyo Chinhak Suyo Kyeolcheongui sigyeoyulcheok Yeongu (Time Series Analysis of Demand for the Advancement to Vocational School). Kyounk Sahoe Yeongu, 3(2), 187–221 (in Korean).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohli, A. 2004. State-Directed Development: Political Power and Industrialization in the Global Periphery. New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krueger, A. 1974. The Political Economy of the Rent-seeking Society. American Economic Review, 64, 291–303.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ku, Y.-W. 1997. Welfare Capitalism in Taiwan: State, Economy, and Social Policy. London: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kwon, H.-J. 1997. Beyond European Welfare Regimes: Comparative Perspectives on East Asian Welfare Systems Journal of Social Policy, 26(4), 467–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kwon, H.-J. 1999. The Welfare State in Korea: The Politics of Legitimation. London: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kwon, H.-J. 2001. Income Transfers to the Elderly in Korea and Taiwan. Journal of Social Policy, 30(1), 81–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kwon, H.-J. 2005. Transforming the Developmental Welfare State in East Asia. Development and Change, 36(3), 477–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kwon, H.-J. 2006. Kongmuwon Yeongukui Kaehyukgwa Cheongch’aekcheok Chaengjeom (Reform of the Civil Service Pension Scheme and Policy Issues). Korea Policy Studies Review, 15(4), 189–213 (in Korean).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kwon, S. 1998. The Korean Experience of Poverty Reduction: Lessons and Prospects In Korea Development Institute/United Nations Development Programme (ed.), Poverty Alleviation Seoul: Korea Development Institute, pp. 158–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, K. 1997. Che 3 Konghwaguk Cheonch’ichedoui Cheongtongseongkwa Pak Cheonghi Cheongbu (The Legitimacy of the Third Republic and the Park Government). Korean Political Studies Review, 31(4), 89–108 (in Korean).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Labour. 1981 Sanjaeboheom 15 Nyeonsa (The Fifteen-Year History of Industrial Accident Insurance). Seoul: Ministry of Labour (in Korean).

    Google Scholar 

  • Nam, C. 1995. South Korea’s Big Business Clientelism in Democratic Reform. Asian Survey, 35(4), 357–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • NSO. 1966. Korea Statistical Yearbook. Seoul: National Statistical Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • NSO. 1986. Korea Statistical Yearbook. Seoul: National Statistical Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • NSO. 1990. Korea Statistical Yearbook. Seoul: National Statistical Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sin, P. 1988. Dong Asia Balcheonui Cheonch’I Kyeongje: Hangukgwa Daemanui Tojigaehyuk bigyoyeongu (Comparative Research on Land Reform in Korea and Taiwan). Korea and World Politics, 4(2), 29–91 (in Korean).

    Google Scholar 

  • SCNR. 1963. History of the Korean Military Revolution, vol. 1. Seoul: Supreme Council for National Reconstruction.

    Google Scholar 

  • Son, M. 1999. 20 Segi Hanguk Uihakui Baljach’ui: Uiryoboheom (The State and Medicine in Korea in the 20th Century: Health Care System). Journal of Korean Medical Association, 42(12), 1153–9 (in Korean).

    Google Scholar 

  • Suh, S. 1981. Bingonui Siltaewa Yeongsemin Daech’aek (The Situation of Poverty and Policies for the Poor). Seoul: Korea Development Institute (in Korean).

    Google Scholar 

  • USAID. 1959. Country Program Book: Aid Level Section. Washington, DC: United States Agency for International Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wade, R. 1990. Governing the Market: Economic Theory and the Role of Government in East Asian Industrialization. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, M. 1968. Economy and Society. New York: Bedminster Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winslow, C.E.A. 1920. The Untilled Fields of Public Health. Science, New Series, 51(1306), 22–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woo, J. 1991. Race to the Swift: State and Finance in Korean Industrialization. New York: Columbia University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woo-Cumings, M. (ed.). 1999. The Developmental State. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Bank. 2006. World Development Report 2006. Washington, DC: The World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yi, I. 2005. Formulation of Confucianism in the Social Welfare Systems in East Asia. Khata, 1(1), 40–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yi, I. 2007. The Politics of Occupational Welfare in Korea. Fukuoka: Hana-Syoin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yi, I. and B.H. Lee. 2005. Development Strategies and Unemployment Polices in Korea. In H.J. Kwon (ed.), Transforming the Developmental Welfare State in East Asia. London: Palgrave/United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, pp. 143–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoo, H. 1966. Hanguk Kongmuwonui Sahoecheonk Baekyung (Social Background of High-ranking Korean Officials). Administrative Review, 4(2), r–66 (in Korean).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Copyright information

© 2015 United Nations Research Institute for Social Development

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Kwon, Hj., Yi, I. (2015). Economic Development and Poverty Reduction in Korea: Governing Multifunctional Institutions. In: Bangura, Y. (eds) Developmental Pathways to Poverty Reduction. Developmental Pathways to Poverty Reduction. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137482549_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics