Desirable Policies and Strategies of Spatial Development for the Future of Korea : A Proposal

Abstract

Prior to proposing some policies and strategies of economic and spatial develoment in Korea for the future, it is necessary to assume or anticipate the future main conditions which will affect the economic and spatial changes of Korea. In the aspects of international political situations, three main circumstances could be anticipated for the future. First, political ideology will be diversified as to the direction of every country's interest. Second, unification in the Korean Peninsula might not be realized for a fairly long term. Third, Korea might have certain economic relations with Red China, U.S.S. R. and a few Eastern European countries. In the world economic conditions in the future, natural resources, especially fuel resources, of the world will find themselves in short supply, forcing companies to increase their prices and to compete internationally for resource use. The world phenomenon of economic food shortage will become still more severe with many countries to import grains. Economic growth rates will slow down in both developed and developing countries because of the limitation of natural resources and an increase in peoples' expectations for a higher quality of life. Domestic conditions affecting the future economic and spatial changes in Korea also can be anticipated. First, centralization tendencies will continue at least in polital and administative decision-making functions. Second, economic growth and national security will be continued as the central objectives of national policy. Third, the shortage of natural resources and the increase of population will remain as the constraints to economic growth and welfare improvement. Fourth, the urbanization trend will maintain itself by outmigration from rural areas, at least until the earlier period of the 1990's. Fifth and finally, technology and transportation/communication systems will continuously progress at a rapid pace.