What makes Korea tick?

Abstract

Abstract. Within a short span of time since the end of the Korean War in the early 1950s,Korea has emerged on the world arena as an economic powerhouse and a success story which has been the envy of the world. Sea changes have taken place inKorea. World-wide interest inKorea as a nation, as an economy, or as a culture is generated. What is the cause behind all this?. This paper aims to sketch some of the defining cultural values which I believe are responsible for the Korean miracle. Some references will be made to Vietnamese culture as appropriate to deeply appreciate the similarities and as well as the differences.

Keywords: Korea, cultural values, Gibun, Han, arranged marriage, sojourner’s mentality, cultural identity, inwardness, outwardness.