The Rural Saemaul Undong Revisited from the Perspective of Good Governance

Abstract

This study analyzes the rural Saemaul Undong of the 1970s in the Republic of Korea from the perspective of good governance. Diverse characteristics of good governance appeared in the Saemaul Undong—in particular, spontaneous participation by village people. This participation was not only a primary factor in the achievements of the Saemaul Undong, but also made it consensusoriented, responsive, and transparent in terms of decision-making and project implementation at the village level. Participation in the villages was promoted and supported by government intervention and strategies, which brought not only efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability, but also increased equity and inclusiveness in the Saemaul Undong. The Saemaul Undong embodied a number of characteristics of good governance.