SAEMAUL MOVEMENT

Agricultural Community Development

Sungho Kim West Africa Team , KOICA

INTRODUCTION

Myname is Sungho Kim, an Intern Coordinator at the Korea International Cooperation Agency.

In this article, I will share useful information regarding the KOICA

fellowship program. First of all, I want to introduce you a key strategy of community revolution, the

Saemaul Movement, For those who already learned about the SMU (Saemaul),

it will be a review of what you have learned and help you to apply it effectively

in your countries' community development.

Sungho Kim West Africa

Team, KOICA

SAEMAUL MOVE-MENT

The New Community Movement, also known as the New Village Movement or Saemaul Movement, was a politi-cal initiative launched on April 22, 1970 by South Korean

President Park Chung-Hee to modernize the rural South Ko-rean economy.

The idea was based on the Korean traditional communalism called Hyang-yak and Doorae, which provided the rules for self-governing and cooperation in traditional Korean com-

munities

First of all, I

want to

introduce you

the concept of

SMU

<Make Saemaul Movement way of Life> December 10, 1976. Former President Park Chung-Hee

SAEMAUL MOVEMENT

The movement initially sought to rectify the growing disparity of the standard of living between the nation's urban centers, which

were rapidly industrializing, and the small villages, which con-tinued to be mired in poverty. Diligence, self-help and collabora-tion were the slogans to encourage community members to participate in the development process

The early stage of the movement focused on improving the ba-sic living conditions and environments whereas later projects concentrated on building rural infrastructure and increasing community income. Though hailed as a great success in the 1970s, the movement lost momentum during the 1980s as the economic situation and political environment in South Korea changed rapidly.

Core value and process of SMU

Recently, many partner countries have applied the SMU (Saemaul Movement) for their own community development

SAEMAUL MOVEMENT

EXPERIENCES IN KOREA

Moondang Information Network Village

Produce your own nature-friendly

cosmetics

In a curriculum for Senegal Irrigation and Agriculture, the fellows had a

chance to make their own cosmetics. This is one good way to attract people to their communities. I also made one for myself.

It was awesome!!

EXPERIENCES IN KOREA

Also the Moondang Village let us

experience making Korean traditional doorplate using

natural materials. Fellows created their

own doorplate.

Doorplate

EXPERIENCES IN KOREA

Traditional wedding ceremony

In another village, named Oeam, Fellows had another valuable

experience,Fellows tried on Korean

traditional outfits.And experienced The

Korean traditional wedding ceremony.

Oeam folk village

FELLOWS’ VOICE Mr. Ajibola Suraj Oladipo Biodun from Nigeria

I am an Assistant Director in my Ministry overseeing the agri-cultural work of some farmers, giving them necessary advices where necessary and making needed recommendation to the appropriate authority;

We came to gain a broad view and practical knowledge of the agricultural practices in South Korea, hoping that we can also apply them in our country. Truly, I was overwhelmed with the level of development, commitment, perseverance and achievement made considering what they suffered during their COLONISATION ERA.

My stay was interesting and enjoyable, having been privileged to min-gle with the Koreans and learn about their cultures, and my perception about the Koreans has changed positively.

The Agricultural Training opened my inner mind and attitude, with the slogan WORK, SERVICE and SACRIFICE; if I have the opportunity to visit South Korea again, I will eagerly jump at it.

The Life of Canaan, a small Korean community, had been very interest-ing worth learning and emulating which I will recommend for progress-ing minds.

Praying for the progress and continuity of South Korea.

Interview with my friend