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Segyehwa: The Globalization of Seoul
Jaydan Tait

Introduction Seoul has undergone globalization at a fast and furious rate. The Korean word segyehwa does not only imply economic liberalization. The term is “far more

comprehensive, embracing political, cultural, and social open-mindedness” (Kim, 2000). Segyehwa was adopted as an official policy of the national government in 1993, and Koreainstitutionalized the process to guide its international trade policy. As the North Korean government embraced a policy of Juche, which resembles a xenophobic self reliance, the South Koreans (referred to as Korea) adopted a policy that understood the prosperity of the nation is inextricably attached to the vitality of the rest of the world. Seoul’s rise from the ashes of the Korean War has beenboth a miracle and a curse. The country has experienced dizzying economic gain and failure in the past 50 years. The effects of the volatile economy reach every facet of Korean society. This paper will examine how the globalization schemes employed in the past 50 years have shaped the economic, social, and geographic makeup of the city. The trends and patterns of globalization will be supported bya literature review that will permeate throughout the paper. In a concluding section, the most distinctive features of modern Seoul will be highlighted.

A Brief History of the Globalization of Seoul Seoul has functioned as the capital of Korea since 1494. Originally constructed as a fortress, the city rose to prominence as the cultural and political hub of the Korean people. The city retainsthis level of importance today. Of the 47 million Koreans living in South Korea, over 10 million of them live within the boundaries of Seoul city proper. If the burgeoning suburbs of the city are included in the calculation, it can be stated conservatively that one-third of the population of Korea lives in the Seoul region.

2 For centuries before its annexation by Japan in 1909, Korea was knownas the Hermit Kingdom. Korea would not become fully independent for another 36 years. The economy during the inter-world war period was almost completely agrarian based. “In 1925, 10.7% of the labor force was non-agricultural, and 3.5% of the population was urban” (Mills and Song, 1979). In 75 years, the economic structure has changed from a rural, labour-intensive farming based economy to amatured post-industrial economy.

The Globalization of the Economy of Seoul Seoul was destroyed during the three year long Korean war. The war pitted South Korean forces backed by the United Nations against the Chinese supported North Korean Stalinist regime. The current demarcation line along the 38th Parallel runs metres from the original dividing line established in 1945. Millions of Koreans werekilled and displaced by the conflict and the country was in ruin. Twice North Korean forces overran Seoul and fierce battles left little remaining of the original city. The surviving Koreans immediately began to rebuild the city. Backed by the US military and the post World War 2 American economic machine, Seoul rebuilt dramatically. Democracy did not succeed in the Republic of Korea after theinter Korean conflict. The political climate accompanying the rise of Korea as a global economic force was characterized by ironfisted military rule. The military leaders used 5-year plans to industrialize the country. Seoul became the manufacturing centre of the growing economy. “Between 1960 and 1966, the urban population increased by 40%” (Mills and Song, 1979). Along with a steady stream ofmigration into Seoul, “two characteristics that appear to be especially significant in Korea’s development were the active role of the government in economic affairs and the government’s heavy emphasis on export expansion” (Kuznuts, 1986).

The Chaebol- During the rapid economic growth of the 1960s, large corporations rose to prominence as domestic and international producers. “The Chaebol are...