From Ashes to Skyscrapers

Question3. Write about the effects of an event in your country
From Ashes to Skyscrapers
Have you ever heard about ‘The miracle of Han-river’? It is a catch-phrase which expresses the remarkable growth of Korea. It was made at first in 1988, when the Summer Olympics were held in Seoul. At that time many foreigners visited Korea, and they were very surprised to see the phenomenal growth of Korea. It is said that they were so shocked that they were confused if they are really staying in Korea which went through a civil war and partitioned the country. How could Korea achieve phenomenal growth like that? In 1970s’ there was one national campaign which played a decisive role in developing the country and brought remarkable growth in Korea. Let me outline the effects of that movement in two sides: the economic side and the spiritual side.

One effect of ‘New Community Movement’ is economic growth. As a part of this movement, the government developed a variety of technologies intensively and spread those technologies to the public companies so that they could extend their business freely. At that time, many prominent enterprises like Samsung, Hyundai, and LG grew rapidly with aid from the government, so they could carry out a decisive role in the development of the export industry. If it were not for the collaboration of government and private companies, Korea could not get worldwide fame as an export leading country. This technology-developing movement was also applied to the agricultural community. The government popularized well-developed agricultural technology so that farmers could promote efficiency. Also, famers could be educated and have new farming appliances. As a result, famers decreased cost and increased output a lot! Agricultural community could be more productive, fertile and richer than before. Also, the government built and reformed a great deal of infrastructure during the period of this movement. Many bridges, buildings and roads were built and reformed at that time. Those works improved citizen’s living environment much better than before.

Another effect of ‘New Community Movement’ is spiritual growth. Actually, before this movement, Koreans were somewhat cold-hearted because they couldn’t overcome poverty and the disaster of war. So they could not afford to help and care for others. But ‘New Community Movement’ inspired the cooperative sprit. It also encouraged citizens to help each other to overcome poverty together, so they could get over with poverty cooperating each other. Also, the movement brought the growth of consciousness. Specifically, ancestors thought that they have to leave excellent background so that descendants could live in a peaceful world. Under that spirit, they gained democracy from dictatorship and improved the labor environment. They held a number of demonstrations. Dictators put down them violently. In that process, many people were sacrificed. Thanks to them, we are living in a nice country now. ‘New Community Movement’ also gave citizens hardworking habits. The keynote of the movement was the belief that Korea could be a developed country soon only if they worked hard. Under that belief, they worked diligently, so finally they gained fame as ‘Asian tigers.’
‘New Community Movement’ enabled Korea to grow remarkably both in economy and spirit. Also, it sets a good example for developing countries to follow as an intensive developing strategy. About forty thousands foreigners from seventy four countries have visited Korea to study that movement. Last year, president Obama visited Kenya, and said “if you want to overcome poverty, you need to follow a good example, ‘New Community Movement’.”