Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lpcool]

I've heard a lot about this President Park Chung Hee and how he was responsible for the rapid industrialization of Korea. Can people shed some light on who this is?

Also, if you know of any good sources of information on him in English, I'd be grateful. Thanks.

[the_beaver]

[Gord]

http://www.time.com/time/asia/asia/magazine/1999/990823/park1.html

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[itaewonguy]

Park chung hee = EVIL DICTATOR!

finally shot by his closest advisor, guess he knew how much of a bastard he was!

He ruled with the iron first!

the positive , koreans thank him for the modern korea.. which I cant imagine how!!!

I mean he died in 79.. and in 89 their was still nothing HERE!! korea was still considered a 3rd world country!!
it wasnt really until 89 - 90's that korea started to develope with the help from foreign investors and MORE American business help..
I think what PARK did, was just rebuild the cities after they were destroyed by war.. not much else..
he caused more negative and hate than good!!

[jvalmer]

Park Chung-Hee was the guy who jump started Korea's modernization. If he didn't come into power and rule like a dictator, then Korea would still be an India like country, with no infrastructure, people living and starving on the streets and elected politicians holding up progress because of endless debates. One of my friend's parents came from Korea, and they say that for the 5 or so years after the Korean war, the 'elected' (American backed) politicians did nothing but debate, and nothing was done. When Park came to power they thought it would be nothing but the status quo. But, the first thing done was a highway was built between Seoul and Busan, therfore making it easier to transport goods across the country. Slowly their lives got better. The first year it would be free education until grade 6, the next year, their dirt road was paved.

Westerners may brand him an evil guy, because he killed and tortured his opponents. But, the average Korean had very little to worry about. They were willing to put up with him as long as their lives improved. Because of Park, the population lived with a roof over their heads, put food on the table and had electricity and running water in thier homes. Overall, Korean's lives improved greatly under his rule. Also, a reason why Gyeongsang-do is a bit richer than Jeolla-do (Park was from Gyeongsang-do). Park even predicted his demise. He said the day someone puts a bullet into his head, is the day he steps down from power.

Finally, "www.kimsoft.com" is a page run by the Korean-Japanese who favour the North's regime and is backed by them. So, I wouldn't put much stock in their claims.

[kylehawkins2000]

President Park was not a nice man. That said however, I think that Korea was not ready for a true democracy after the Korean War. Mr. Park was undoubtedly cruel but he has left a huge legacy behind. He is responsible in a large part of the rapid economic and industrial development in this country. The Cheabol companies were probably good for Korea in the past. Unfortunately the structure of the economy caused the collapse in 1997. That collapse was probably good in some ways becuase it forced the reform of the economic structure in this country and encouraged economic diversification. Changes are still occuring but I would argue that the economy today is much stronger and healthier than the pre-1997 era.

[Gwangjuboy]

When talking about corrupt presidents lets not forget to mention Kim Dae Jung. A good expample of a man that sells his principles when in power. A right wing pro American president wouldn't be a bad thing right now. Then the government could send the troops out and have some of those anti American, North Korean flag waving morons arrested. Instead we have f naive and foolish administrations who want to get into bed with Jong Ill. At the same time they recieve kick backs themselves and when caught out ask for forgiveness based on some mission from a higher being.(e.g Dae Jung and the NK summit.) Anyone seen the house that he is having built right now? I wonder how he is funding that.

[the_beaver]

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[makushi]

Oh come on, lets be real people...South Korea couldn't have progessed from total decimation after the war to what it accomplished under Park's rule (national transportation/communication/education systems....manufacturing and exports of textiles, cars, ships, and electronics) without some type of strong leader.

North Korea and the Soviet Union were doing as much as possible to create dissent in the South, and armed incursions were common (even to the point of killing Park's wife).

This is Korea and Koreans were are talking about...do you really think a Bill Clinton or Tony Blair-type politician could just spring up from nowhere, and get him self elected. This country had absolutely zero experience with democracy...and the one attempt Lee Sigman...was a complete failure...due to his lack of strength.

You are bunch of fools...Park did (with US aid) in the South what the Great Leader (with Soviet aid) failed miserbly to do in the North.

Yeah some blood was shed...but hey take a look at your own histories...guaranteed that 100 times more blood was shed by American leaders trying to keep control of the lower class whites, indians, and black than by Park.

Ya bunch of ignorant judgemental losers...."oh he was evil evil evil" Yeah right up there just about every other leader in the history of the world...wake up and smell the coffee.

[the_beaver]

[makushi]

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