Korean Village Movement (새마을운동) Exportation: An Adaptability Model for Africa Development

The success of the Republic of Korea’s Saemaul Undong (SMU) popularly understood as the new village movement has been applauded for its transformation of traditional Korean economy. Policy makers in areas of economic development have increased interest in the movement for eradicating Korea (South), extreme poverty in a historic short time. Meanwhile valid perceptions continue to emerge on whether the Korean economic growth experience can be replicated elsewhere. Proponents of this model have recommended exportation of the community engineered ideology to underdeveloped nations and in Africa, where similar challenges Korea faced in 1970 prevails. However, enumerating difficulties faced during SMU implementation has raised fresh concerns whether the movement can replicate similar results in Africa considering the complex variations that opposed it. This study explores the importance of the Korean SMU in eradicating extreme poverty and comparatively discourse the model adaptation in Africa based on geopolitical and human capital factor. We reviewed SMU literature by analyzing two country examples; the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Republic of Rwanda, known for implementing SMU strategy. The analysis revealed that While Rwanda recorded improved outcome in SMU rural facilities, the DRC pilot-units lagged the community inclusiveness. We discussed further that, regardless of the unique development strategy, exportation requires supplementary features for case adaptability.

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