President Lee Jae Myung called for the global expansion of the Saemaul Undong rural-development initiative during a visit to the Korea Saemaul Undong Center on Thursday [1, 2].
The push to export this development model represents a strategic effort to project South Korean soft power and provide a blueprint for economic growth in developing nations.
During his visit to the center, Lee said the goal is to promote the movement's development model internationally. He said other countries should adopt the specific rural-development practices that characterized the program [1, 2].
The Saemaul Undong, also known as the New Village Movement, was launched in 1970 [1]. While the initiative is now being positioned as a tool for international cooperation, it was originally established under a former authoritarian government [2].
Lee's focus on the program emphasizes the role of community-led growth and government support in transforming rural landscapes. By sharing these practices, the administration seeks to foster stronger ties with nations currently facing similar rural economic challenges [1, 2].
The visit to the Korea Saemaul Undong Center underscores the administration's intent to modernize the legacy of the movement for a global audience, shifting the focus from national mobilization to international development assistance [1, 2].
“President Lee Jae Myung called for the global expansion of the Saemaul Undong rural-development initiative.”
By promoting Saemaul Undong, South Korea is leveraging its historical transition from an agrarian society to a high-tech economy to gain diplomatic leverage. This move positions the country as a mentor to developing nations, though the program's origins under an authoritarian regime may provide a point of contention for some international partners.
