The Saemaul Movement

Features & Implications

10/19/20Maria MaysonetThe Saemaul Movement

In this article Moon gives a historical account of the Seamaul Movement illustrating the events that led to the initiation of the movement, main features, effects, and finally criticism and lessons. He offers suggestions to the need for institutional reform and strategies for rural development.

This presentation will summarize Moons main arguments and suggestions for policy and strategy improvement.The Seamaul MovementWritten by Pal Yong MoonTHE PROBLEMThe Problem: Rural Poverty and Low Productivity Levels

Small- Scale Farming -> Restricts the adoption of new technology and impedes the improvement of agricultural productivity pg. 405Insufficient capital investment Limited land resources

Implications: Lack of new technology and to increase productivity

Farm-Price PolicyGrain prices were kept low as to not increase the urban wage earners cost of livingHindered efforts to promote domestic food production -> Low Price Policy further impoverished the already rural poorPrimarily in the 1950s until the implementation of the two-tier price policy. ImplicationsEncouraged food imports ->depleting foreign exchange reservesWidened income gap b/w urban and rural areasDecline in rural political supportIncrease focus on implementing policies aimed at rural developmentThe Problem: Rural Poverty and Low Productivity Levels

THE SOLUTIONThe Solution: The Saemaul Movement The Saemaul Undong [movement] is a new community movement in which people cooperate with one another in order to construct better and richer villages, and as a consequence, a richer and stronger nation. (Official definition used by MOHA) pg. 409

Ultimate Goal Developing a strong nation through the elimination of poverty (specifically in rural areas) and the construction of a dynamic society.

Achieving this goal Rural EnlightmentSocial Development Economic Development**Initiated through the disposal of surplus cement that allowed for environmental and infrastructural improvements. (Pg.408)

----- Meeting Notes (10/19/12 02:57) -----change name7The Solution: Rural Enlightenment

Rural enlightenment sought to enhance rural villagers willingness to practice self-relianceSpirit of Diligence, Austerity, Thrift, Mutual Cooperation, and SolidarityFormer AttitudesExploitation and Economic Squeeze limited voluntary participation in community development and cooperative productive activities. Extended Family system limited individual development and decision-making abilities.

The Social Development aspects implemented programs aimed at improving the environment.Three types: Environmental ImprovementsHousing ImprovementsPublic-Utility ExpansionThe Solution: Social Development

Buildup of the Production InfrastructureFarm Road ExpansionSmall-Scale Irrigation ProjectsRoad-improvement projectsImplications: Fostered agricultural productivityIncome-Augmentation ProgramLivestock raising, cash crops, development of specialized production areas, group farming, and establishment of factoriesImplications: Increase of farm income sourcesThe Solution: Economic DevelopmentEnvironment Oriented Projects Income Oriented ProjectsExtensive ParticipationTraining and EducationLeadership is a prerequisite for self-reliant and self-sustaining community development. (pg. 413)

The Process: Key Components

The Process: Planning & StrategyProvincial Level

County Level

Myon (Township) Level

Village & Village MembersPrinciples of Operation

The best-first principle

Basic (Underdeveloped) VillageSelf-Help (developing) VillageSelf- Reliant (developed) Village

The step-wise principleThe learning-by-doing principleThe matching-fund principleThe Implications: Saemaul movementEffects on the EnvironmentWater Supply Systems and Sewage SystemsExpansion of electrical and communication networks resulted improved communication and transportation to and from urban and rural communities.Effects on Farm IncomeCash crops and livestock raisingArea specializationGroup farming and marketingEffects on EmploymentLack of DataAbsorb idle labor force during agricultural off-season

Effects on Rural Savings

Criticisms & Lessons: Saemaul MovementCRITICISMSThe top-down ApproachEffective in mobilizing resourcesHindering voluntary participation (?)Pressure to PerformLack of Horizontal coordinating

LESSONSAdministration inconsistent with voluntary participation

Limits to the authoritarian and bureaucratic approach

Thank You&Have a wonderful fall breakMaria MaysonetSaemualAudioMaria MaysonetSaemung MovementGarageBand 6.0.42012