Day 2

Day 2: Wednesday, May 21st

Today we toured the Global Knowledge Exchange and Development Center (GKEDC). This center promotes the development of South Koreas economy over time to showcase its dramatic success in development particularly since the Korean War. We started by learning about South Koreas agrarian roots and ended with its success in the advanced technological sectors. I even got to take a picture with Cloi, an autonomous robot in the center. We then ate a quick lunch in the mall near the DDP. We then did a tour of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a large architectural spectacle designed by British architect Zaha Hadid. We then found dinner on our own, with a group of us finding a fried chicken restaurant, a staple in South Korea. After, we met with the large group at the Deoksugung Palace to watch a performing art show. The performance was called Pure Heart, a story about a young girl named Simcheong, who decided to sacrifice herself by jumping into the see in order for her fathers blindness to be cured.

Blog 2 Theme: Agricultural History

At the Global Knowledge Exchange and Development Center (GKEDC) we began our tour with the history of South Korea’s agricultural history. We first learned about the three principles related to farming in the Founding Constitution.

The first was the Abolition of the Tenant Farming System. This article ensured equal opportunity for participating in economic activities by removing the tents system, evenly distributing land for farming, and leveling the economic playing field for people. Article 86 states: “Agrarian land shall be distributed to farmers, and the means of distribution, limits on ownership, substances of ownership shall be determined by law.” This helps with the ability for food to be more evenly distributed, and reduces the chances of one or a few individuals creating food system problems.

The other two principles included the Protection of Individual Property Rights and Recognizing Individual Freedom and Creativity, which encourage economic will and ensures that social domains have freedom, equality and creativity.

We were then able to observe that through these principles, economic activity increased. With the abolishment of tenant farming, wages for farmers increased, allowing for the enrollment of children in school and the number of schools increased. Land ownership also had a positive effect on the rice production in South Korea, with better tools and equipment, as well as better morale helped to increase productivity.