This study attempts to find out the relationship between the socio-cultural factors and the economic development of South Korea. These factors were identified as four variables: Socio-Cultural Structure, Religion, Work-Ethics and Values, and Politics and Administration. These variables had been used as major focus for the in-depth investigation in each period of Korean history. There were four periods: the Choson period (1392-1910), the period of National construction and intensive economic development (1910-1981), the period of the Fifth and Sixth Republics (1981-1992), and the Present period (1992-present). The author applied the methods of data collection as follows: the historical account from various publications, the empirical data through participant observation from his field-work in th Republic of Korea during October-November 1995, and the up-to-date information collected from current newspapers and essential documents until May 1996.

The report is divided into 6 chapters. Introduction and Methodology are in Chapter One. Chapter Two analyses the Choson period until the peninsula was annexed into Japanese imperialism in 1910.

Chapter Three refers to the situation and intensive struggles against the Japanese occupation. After the independence, the crisis of power struggle was intense and led to the division of the peninsula into two independent countries. However, the Korean war followed. The real economic development had taken place in 1962 in the Third Republic. Chapter Four continues to investigate the socio-cultural factors in the Fifth and Sixth Republics while Chapter Five explores the present Seventh Republic.

The final Chapter concludes that the political variables had constantly been the most significant factors influencing the Korean economic development since the emergence of military power in 1961. The concept of a "strong state" could well describe the Korean case since then, as it refered to the state that was able not only to resist private demands but also actively shape the economy and society. Nontheless, the state alone might not have assured of economic success if it did not go hand-in-hand with the social context: historical origins, nationalism, and socio-cultural features. With the close link between state and society, Korea could successfully mobilize popular support, though by a coercive manner, through establishing a constructive work-ethic and hegemonic values, to achieve her economic development goal.

This research report is used as a supplement textbook for the course on Korean Society and Culture in 1996 at Ramkhamhaeng University.