SOUTH KOREAN GOVERNMENT'S ROLES INSUPPORTING WOMEN'S STATUS THROUGH THE SAEMAUL UNDONG PROJECT

Abstract

Confucian ideology had influenced on Korean society since Chosun period. Women’s roles are traditionally limited in household. However, they control and manage most family affairs according to Hyunmo-Yangcho idea (good wife, wise mother). In 1960s, the standards of living by industrialization and modernization motivated rural women to be more responsible for household income. Most of them helped their families by leaving to cities and started working. There were changes in women’s social and economic roles. They had inspiration to participate in social affairs. The government initiated rural development strategy. They proposed the Fourth Five-Year National Economic Development Plan by introducing Saemaul Undong to rural villages nationwide. In 1970s, group of woman in Oryu village led by Mrs. Chung Moon-ja started forming the first women organization called Saemaul women’s club. Saemaul women’s club aimed to actively perform the projects for village income. Oryu village later became the best village reserve and wealthy community. The government wished to promote the famous successful Oryu village as another part of Saemaul Undong project. They thus used women as the key actor who practiced the major roles in national rural development. The result of the policy implementation is rural development emerged and successful. In addition, women who pushed Saemaul Undong to this success also benefited since their status was enhanced.