Shrimp to whale: from a small defenceless creature to an enormous predator. This is the title chosen by Ramon Pacheco Pardo for a book that tells the story of a country that managed to rise triumphantly after having suffered countless tragedies and losses. The Republic of Korea (South Korea) has seen a unique transformation in the twentieth century. But how is it possible that a country once the protagonist of a dramatic conflict never ended by a treaty, has managed to become a stable democracy in just a few decades? Various factors have contributed to this rise, from the goodwill of individual citizens to a far-sighted political class.
After imperial domination, war, the division of the peninsula and dictatorship, South Korea is today considered a new and dynamic force in global affairs. It boasts an incredible technological revolution, dynamic trade and a strong democracy. Its capital, Seoul, is one of the most populous cities in the world and its cultural heritage, through the spread of music, films and television has had a profound impact on the entire globe. Thanks to the rapid industrialization that began in the early 1960s, South Korea in 2024 was the fourteenth country in the world with the highest GDP per capita according to the International Monetary Fund, having lifted millions of people out of poverty. South Korea is an urbanized society and home to major advanced technology industries, such as Samsung, LG and Hyundai.
Despite all this progress, the Republic of Korea still struggles with many problems, such as deep social inequality, an ageing population and intense academic and job pressures. The country certainly has a long way to go to be considered an advanced country all around, but it is now clear that this rapid modernization that has demonstrated how to turn difficulties into opportunities, nicknamed “the miracle of the Han River,” could be a positive example in any other developed or developing country.
