Distinguished guests,

I would like to begin by thanking President Oscar Berger and the Government of Guatemala for hosting this conference, and for the warm hospitality we have received.

Fifty years ago, the Republic of Korea was in a state of extreme poverty. Nearly four decades of colonial rule, followed by the Korean War, devastated our industrial infrastructure and impoverished our population.

In 1953, following the ceasefire, Korea’s per capita GDP was only 67 dollars. In 1960, as we were beginning to promote our economy, foreign exchange reserves were no more than 150 thousand dollars.

With the nation relying heavily on foreign aid to support its people, there was insufficient capital to devote to economic development. It was imperative that Korea effectively allocate what few resources it could muster.

For this reason the Korean government assumed the role of the market in allocating capital. It introduced foreign capital on credit and distributed it through state-controlled banks. The government even intervened in corporate activities in carrying out national development policy.

Considering a need to accelerate economic growth with very scarce resources, it was understandable that the government employed selective and preferential strategies in fostering industries and controlling the market.

Indeed, such strategies produced stunning results. Some 40 years after we launched our economic development drive, Korea’s per capita GDP today stands at more than 16 thousand dollars. Our foreign exchange reserves exceed 230 billion dollars. In two short generations, Korea has grown from one of the poorest to the world’s tenth largest economy.



해석을 부탁드리는게 아니고 이게 언제 누가한 연설인지 알아야 해서 질문 드립니다.

연설은 과테말라 대통령과 정부에게 한국 경제의 성장배경을 설명하는 연설인데요.

아무리 검색해도 언제 누가 한건지 찾을수가 없네요 -_-

혹시 아시는분은 알려주시면 감사하겠습니다.