SOURCE:https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/02/06/world/asia/korea-history.html

In 1988, the last time South Korea hosted the Olympics, North and South Korea were more alike than different, separated by an arbitrary line yet joined by history, language and the bonds of family.

Both Koreas had come a long way, emerging from colonial rule and rebuilding their economies after a devastating civil war.

But the Olympics in Seoul in 1988 ended up being a turning point. Over the past 30 years, the two countries have diverged sharply — economically, politically and culturally.

South Korea rapidly industrialized, growing at one of the fastest rates in the world. The North stagnated.

.The South shed its military dictatorship and opened up to the world. The North remained isolated and authoritarian, and endured a devastating famine that killed an estimated 2 million people, according to some estimates.

South Korea now exports Samsung phones, Hyundai cars and popular soap operas. North Korea, hamstrung by sanctions, still relies on exports of coal, clothing and shellfish.

Top North Korean exports----------Top South Korean exports
1) Coal -----------------------------1) Integrated circuits
2) Men’s outerwear----------------2) Cars
3) Women’s outerwear------------3) Refined petroleum
4) T-shirts--------------------------4) Ships and boats
5) Mollusk---------------------------5) Vehicle parts


In 1988, North Korea did not even participate in the Seoul Olympics, and it mounted a deadly terrorist attack 10 months before the Olympics. On Friday, its delegation will march under a single flag with the South Korean team at the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

The display of athletic unity, however, belies the vast gap that has opened between the two countries in the three decades since the Seoul games.

Other Communist countries in Asia, including China and Vietnam, saw the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 as a warning, and they quickly reformed their economies and opened their markets. The North remained closed.

It pursued the development of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles, making it an international pariah. Although North Korea’s economy started to grow moderately in recent years, devastating sanctions imposed by the United Nations prohibit it from selling its leading exports, and the economy could be shrinking again.

When the Soviet Union collapsed, the North’s economy soon followed. Floods and drought compounded the situation, leading to a devastating famine. Food in the North is still rationed, with the best goods distributed only to a small group of elites with government connections.

By the time of North Korea’s famine, South Korea had become a booming cultural capital, exporting K-pop, its answer to American boy bands, to its former adversaries, China and Japan.

.South Korea became Asia’s leading exporter of culture — producing music, movies and television dramas.

At one time, both countries could afford to build intricate subways beneath their capitals. But a decade after the Seoul Olympics, only one government could afford to keep its trains running regularly.

Pristine and ornate as a national museum, the Pyongyang subway system is little used. Seoul’s subway stations are capitalist showcases plastered with movie posters and makeup ads.

Built to showcase North Korean industry and double as atomic bomb shelters, the stations of the Pyongyang metro are decorated with revolutionary propaganda. The train cars, which have not be upgraded in decades, remain mostly empty.

Virtually all of North Korea’s early success – including its subway system – as well as its later misfortunes can be attributed to the country’s ruling family, the Kims.

The same family that ruled North Korea in 1988 rules it today. And the same authoritarianism pioneered by the country’s founder, Kim Il-sung, is continued by his grandson, Kim Jong-un.

In the North, all public gatherings are organized by the state. In the South, people are free to protest against the government.

At the time of the Seoul Games, South Korea had recently emerged from military dictatorship. Just eight years earlier, South Korean military forces massacred students and citizens protesting authoritarian rule.

When huge student and labor protests rocked South Korea again in 1987, the government deployed riot police officers and tear gas before eventually agreeing to democratic reforms.

Just over a year ago, protesters held candlelight vigils vigils every weekend for months to demand the impeachment of the country’s president, Park Geun-hye. The protests, which eventually led to Ms. Park’s removal from office, were uniformly peaceful.

Central to the politics of each country in recent years has been the North’s steadfast pursuit of nuclear weapons, which has led to sanctions and isolation.

Kim Jong-un, the North’s leader, is a veritable recluse who has alienated much of the international community. South Korea’s president, Moon Jae-in, has pledged to strengthen international alliances.

and north Korea owns a nuclear bomb,iicbm and a nuclear rocket that can reach the united states and giving China,Japan and its neighbours a sense of worry

With the North participating in this month’s Games, will the two Koreas now begin to converge — or is it too late?

Just a few weeks ago, the idea of the North participating in Games would have been unthinkable. Mr. Kim spent much of 2017 developing and testing bombs and ballistic missiles in defiance of international demands.

Now, President Moon Jae-in of South Korea says he hopes the Pyeongchang Olympics could end a stalemate and propel the countries to talks.

In a sign of the easing tensions, the countries will not only march together during the opening ceremonies but will also compete as a single unified team in women’s ice hockey.

Ultimately, two countries that appear so different, even from space — where the lights of the South far outshine those of the North — have a shared history much longer than the three decades between Olympics. These Games may be a chapter in that history, but they are far from the last one.

baralatie:
and north Korea owns a nuclear bomb,iicbm and a nuclear rocket that can reach the united states and giving China,Japan and its neighbours a sense of worry

The difference is clear... a country that can't boast of electricity is one that wants to take the world? Na propaganda abeg. Let them boost their economy before we take them serious. it is just empty threats.

americanson:
The difference is clear... a country that can't boast of electricity is one that wants to take the world? Na propaganda abeg. Let them boost their economy before we take them serious. it is just empty threats.

propaganda!
u font know the threat level north Korea has installed in the minds of its neighbours.the reason Egypt is in trouble with the u.s.a is because it bought military rocket launchers from n.k.
the reason why China is running is because n.k tested a hydrogen bomb at the China border.
someone has nukes you say it is prooanganda even the e.u gas woken up to reality

baralatie:
and north Korea owns a nuclear bomb,iicbm and a nuclear rocket that can reach the united states and giving China,Japan and its neighbours a sense of worry

And how does that help it's citizens....
Industrialise the economy, commit to market reforms, open up the economy to foreign investors, improve the living standard of your people, encourage capital inflows, promote an export oriented economy n see your country on the part of unprecedented prosperity....
Who nuclear bomb help....
This was the nonsense oil rich Iran also embarked upon in the 1990s n 2000s claiming they want to develop.....
They wasted 2 decades focusing on a venture that benefited nobody. In the process, enduring international sanctions that greatly affected the country's economic growth.....
Whereas, it's neighbours UAE n Qatar were building a truly prosperous economy via peaceful means around the same decade.....
The jury is out with the result n we are all witness to the verdict.....
I don't know any country that attained prosperity by building nuclear bombs.....
Most weapon producing industry are not even profitable n majority are struggling, relying on govt contracts n patronage to survive.....
Pls, let's stop supporting stupidity in the name of whatever....
North korea has great potentials n that punk of a guy will do well to learn from his china n veitnam neighbours......

SIRTee15:

And how does that help it's citizens....
Industrialise the economy, commit to market reforms, open up the economy to foreign investors, improve the living standard of your people, encourage capital inflows, promote an export oriented economy n see your country on the part of unprecedented prosperity....
Who nuclear bomb help....
This was the nonsense Iran also embarked upon in the 1990s n 2000s claiming they want to develop.....
I don't know any country that attained prosperity by building nuclear bombs.....
Most weapon producing industry are not even profitable n majority are struggling relying on govt contracts n patronage to survive.....
Pls, let's stop supporting stupidity in the name of whatever....
North korea has great potentials n that punk of a guy will do well to learn from his china n veitnam neighbours......

how does the state of south Korea change the fact that north and south are still at war?

.

baralatie:

how does the state of south Korea change the fact that north and south are still at war?

It's a cold war.....
North korea should see this as an opportunity to develop its country....
That's the best propaganda weapon to bequeath ur citizens against the south....
Not nuclear weapons.....
Soviet union built more nuclear weapons....
That didn't prevent its inevitable collapse.....

Lalasticlala can u just imagine the difference in Electricity Availability.

Good of you to reproduce the NYT article on here, but I'm afraid your effort will be wasted on the site's readership, most of whom only seem to care about which "zone" will get what "turn" at the presidency in 2019 or 2023, never mind that they have no plans for what to do once "their son" gets into Aso Rock - beyond inviting his "kinsmen" to "come and chop".

The political and economic sophistication of the average Nigerian extends no further than a rent-seeking mentality based on tribe and religion, and the nation's political life amounts to no more than a mad scramble for a cut of oil-derived resource rents, with no thought whatsoever given to how to grow the pie by making and selling things others might want. South Korea's market-based success story would have as much relevance to such primitive thinkers as a tale about aliens from Zeta Reticuli - it simply has nothing to do with the world in which they live.

Nice thread. Thanks @ OP for this wonderful thread.

That is exactly what will happen once Nigeria is broken up.

This is exactly what will happen to Biafran economy once it is free.

wetin suppose dey FP...

Here's my favorite video on subject. South Korea just of the season tigers we could take a lesson from. The growth they experienced was possible because the opened up economy for investment, had solid industrialisation policy, and it politically stable.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ro6FlHe5eQ

ruggedtimi:
wetin suppose dey FP...

You have to summon him. He's not psychic.

Front Page: lalasticlala

SIRTee15:

And how does that help it's citizens....
Industrialise the economy, commit to market reforms, open up the economy to foreign investors, improve the living standard of your people, encourage capital inflows, promote an export oriented economy n see your country on the part of unprecedented prosperity....
Who nuclear bomb help....
This was the nonsense oil rich Iran also embarked upon in the 1990s n 2000s claiming they want to develop.....
They wasted 2 decades focusing on a venture that benefited nobody. In the process, enduring international sanctions that greatly affected the country's economic growth.....
Whereas, it's neighbours UAE n Qatar were building a truly prosperous economy via peaceful means around the same decade.....
The jury is out with the result n we are all witness to the verdict.....
I don't know any country that attained prosperity by building nuclear bombs.....
Most weapon producing industry are not even profitable n majority are struggling, relying on govt contracts n patronage to survive.....
Pls, let's stop supporting stupidity in the name of whatever....
North korea has great potentials n that punk of a guy will do well to learn from his china n veitnam neighbours......

Regurgitating western nonsense.

Truth is the West have developed their military capability to the hilt first and ahead of any wishy washy economic benefit. What is the use of a large and prosperous economy to Isreal without sophisticated weaponry?

the strategic position of the West is for most countries to be weak and militarily vulnerable so that the can do whatever they like anywhere they like in this world. And having the military power to dominate and control world organisations like UN.

What NK has done is to challenge that world order by ignoring UN resolutions and building it's military solidly enough to challenge the US. And whatever any one may say US will never ever ever even dream ofattacking North Korea.

South Korea may be richer and citizens live better but it bows to the North korea has more regards , power and respect from the international community. North Korea's next strategy is to sink the whole world if it is not left alone in peace. Nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them no be beans o.

SIRTee15:

It's a cold war.....
North korea should see this as an opportunity to develop its country....
That's the best propaganda weapon to bequeath ur citizens against the south....
Not nuclear weapons.....
Soviet union built more nuclear weapons....
That didn't prevent its inevitable collapse.....

Who told you North Korea is not developed? Can you please stop repeating western propaganda all over the place.
Do a youtube visit to North Korea and remove the propaganda wedged in your line of thought.

ChidiAlaigbo:


Who told you North Korea is not developed? Can you please stop repeating western propaganda all over the place.
Do a youtube visit to North Korea and remove the propaganda wedged in your line of thought.

It's not developed unless you call most if your population staving development. Look at the country from space. The videos on YouTube are state run tours 95% of time. If this is development I don't want to know what you call poverty.

ChidiAlaigbo:


Who told you North Korea is not developed? Can you please stop repeating western propaganda all over the place.
Do a youtube visit to North Korea and remove the propaganda wedged in your line of thought.

Tell me something produced in North korea u use....
Tell me any products attributed to North Korea....
We know Samsung, LG, Hyundai, KIA, Korean pop culture, Seoul tech industry from South Korea....
Give me the revelations from North Korea.....
Guy, I'm not ur regular guy....
I read a lot n I base my judgement on factual evidence...
And not on any propaganda tool irrespective of affiliation....

Blue3k:


It's not developed unlesd you call most if your population staving development. Look at the country from space. The videos on YouTube are state run tours 95% of time. If this is development I don't want to know what you call poverty.

I told you to clean yourself of western propaganda and fake or adulterated news. The pictures you displayed must have been picked up from a western media establishment (youtube, Facebook, CNN, anything media originating from the US or its allies), undated, unreferenced, probably unauthorised or authenticated by anyone etc etc. Have you seen how Africa is portrayed in the western media?

How do you know that is the true picture of NK from space? I don't know and neither do you....but I know the western media are well know for slanting the truth to support their own narrative or their own view of the truth.
Feel free to believe what you want to believe but be wary of unknowingly transmitting someone else's propaganda.

US made S.Korea and Isreal rich countries by buying their products (SK) and awarding development grants worth billions to Israel. And on the other hand imposing sanctions on NK and sabotaging it's fragile economy.

The common factor is US Dollar.

ChidiAlaigbo:


I told you to clean yourself of western propaganda and fake or adulterated news. The pictures you displayed must have been picked up from a western media establishment (youtube, Facebook, CNN, anything media originating from the US or its allies), undated, unreferenced, probably unauthorised or authenticated by anyone etc etc. Have you seen how Africa is portrayed in the western media?

How do you know that is the true picture of NK from space? I don't know and neither do you....but I know the western media are well know for slanting the truth to support their own narrative or their own view of the truth.
Feel free to believe what you want to believe but be wary of unknowingly transmitting someone else's propaganda.

US made S.Korea and Isreal rich countries by buying their products (SK) and awarding development grants worth billions to Israel. And on the other hand imposing sanctions on NK and sabotaging it's fragile economy.

The common factor is US Dollar.

You don't know how to use Google earth or some other alternative to take pictures from space. The pictures are western propaganda because you don't like facts. Africa has lots of starving to look at hunger statistics. Lol how is that an argument. You think state run tour will give you truth about situation in North Korea.

The Israel and south korea didn't get rich solely though grants. Sanction don't kill economies completely why would Iran still be strong.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn-_8IniOVk

SIRTee15:


Tell me something produced in North korea u use....
Tell me any products attributed to North Korea....
We know Samsung, LG, Hyundai, KIA, Korean pop culture, Seoul tech industry from South Korea....
Give me the revelations from North Korea.....
Guy, I'm not ur regular guy....
I read a lot n I base my judgement on factual evidence...
And not on any propaganda tool irrespective of affiliation....

Yes you do hear about these companies because the USA granted market access to S/Korean companies and manufacturers. That is all. If they choose to make S korea poor tomorrow. The west will simply block access to their market and S Korea will promptly become another poor country.

The world is far more complicated than you think, and don't trust the materials you read on certain mediums.

Blue3k:


You don't know how to use Google earth or some other alternative to take pictures from space. The pictures are western propaganda because you don't like facts. Africa has lots of starving to look at hunger statistics. Lol how is that an argument. You think state run tour will give you truth about situation in North Korea.

The Israel and south korea didn't get rich solely though grants. Sanction don't kill economies completely why would Iran still be strong.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn-_8IniOVk

My friend, Google is a western media. Clearly you have never set foot outside Nigeria. Most Nigerians do not understand international politics.

ChidiAlaigbo:


My friend, Google is a western media. Clearly you have never set foot outside Nigeria.

You haven't stepped inside your English class. I clearly told you said some other alternative. I knew you wouldn't have a counter argument except shouting propaganda. Lol you guys are so predictable.

Youre the the same clown who defended your argument saying go watch YouTube videos. I guess you didn't know Google owns YouTube. It's propaganda only when it goes against your world view.

Blue3k:


You don't know how to use Google earth or some other alternative to take pictures from space.

ChidiAlaigbo:

Do a youtube visit to North Korea and remove the propaganda wedged in your line of thought.

Nice article but NLders won't understand this.......

NK should use the opportunity to harmonize with d south.

ChidiAlaigbo:


Yes you do hear about these companies because the USA granted market access to S/Korean companies and manufacturers. That is all. If they choose to make S korea poor tomorrow. The west will simply block access to their market and S Korea will promptly become another poor country.

The world is far more complicated than you think, and don't trust the materials you read on certain mediums.

Western countries made all countries rich....
Including China n Vietnam....
It has nothing to do with whether they like u or not....
It has more to do with whether u are ready to do business with them....
If u are serious n ready to give them what they want, they will pour their money into ur country....
QED....
China gave them cheap labour n lax environmental laws....
The rest is history