South Korea is currently subject of fierce discussion in the theoretical debate concerning development. South Korea’s “take off” is not denied. During a period of 19 years the land of farmers becomes an industrial nation ranking in the world trade statistics among the first 20 states. The gross national product amounts to 35 % in 1980. During 1962-1980 the growth rates of the GNP comes to 8.4 % on average per year. The income per head amounts to 1,503 US$.
With the illustration of the working conditions in chapter 1 it is intended on the one hand to disclose the exaggerated exploitation of the male and female workers and on the other hand to point out some differences in the extent of the attrition of the work forces.
In chapter 2 the development of the remuneration und the destination factors of the wage findings are outlined. Herein it is also intended to disclose the fractions among the working force which have got above-average wage increases.
The participation of the collection of national richness caused by the economic development is expressed in the changes within the consumption structure of the wage-earners’ households. The shift in-between the consumptive expenditures will be the focus of chapter 3.
In chapter 4 the development of the collective consumption of South Korea is drawn. Which measures are taken by the state in order to redistribute the national income in favour of the part of the population with low income? What about the social security system in South Korea? Is the state guaranteeing a minimum of living quality or are the poor left to themselves?
In the last part of the essay (chapter 5) the development of the income distribution will finally be outlined in order to point out a possible polarisation of the population. At the same time the poverty in South Korea will be quantified and put into the context to the pursued economic way.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- I. WORKING CONDITIONS
- I.1. Working Hours
- 1.1.1. The Working Hours in the colonial time and during the occupation by the USA
- 1.1.2. The working times according the “Labour Standard Law”
- 1.1.3. Summary
- 1.1.4. The Working Times of Employees
- 1.1.5. Main investigation results of the working times
- I.2. Intensity of Work
- I.3. Work Place Conditions
- I.4. Vocational Diseases and Accidents at Work
- I.5. Labour Turn-over Rate in the Industry of South Korea
- I.1. Working Hours
- II. WAGES
- II.1. Salary Determination Process
- II.1.1. Historical determination of the general wage level
- II.1.2. Excursus: Trade unions and worker movement in South Korea
- II.1.3. Statutory regulations for overtime payment
- II.1.4. Labour market structure
- II.2. The Korean wage system
- II.2.1. Wage structure
- II.2.2. Determination of wages within the company
- II.3. Wage Development
- II.3.1. Real Wage Increases in the 70s
- II.3.2. Wage differences by economic sectors
- II.3.3. Wage differences by profession groups
- II.3.4. Wage rises and productivity increases in manufacturing
- II.3.5. Wages in manufacturing by branches (1970, 1975, 1980)
- II.3.6. Wage differences by gender
- II.3.7. Summary
- II.1. Salary Determination Process
- III. CONSUMPTION STRUCTURE
- III.1. Reduction of the size of household
- III.2. Oscillations in the amount of the working family members
- III.3. Reduction of Food Expenses (“Engel's Law”)
- III.4. Expenditure for nutrition by main groups
- III.5. The expenditures of the worker households for housing, energy, clothing and miscellaneous
- IV. COLLECTIVE CONSUMPTION
- IV.1. The expenses for „Social Security Program\" in South Korea in comparison of nations
- IV.2. Central Government Expenditure
- IV.3. The provisions of the \"Social Security Program\" (SSP)
- IV.3.1. Insurance System
- IV.3.2. Livelihood-Protection Program (LLP)
- IV.3.3. Self-Welfare Services
- IV.4. Summary and Outcome
- V. INCOME DISTRIBUTION AND POVERTY IN SOUTH KOREA
- V.1. Distribution data of South Korea in comparison to other nations
- V.2. Historical Reasons for the moderate income inequality
- V.3. Development of income distribution in the 70s
- V.4. Poverty in South Korea
- V.5. Socio-economic Attributes of the urban households of the poor
- V.6. Summary and outcome
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This study examines the working and living conditions in South Korea during the period of export-oriented industrialization (1965-1980). It aims to analyze the impact of rapid economic growth on the lives of South Korean workers, focusing on the trade-offs between economic progress and social welfare.
- The evolution of working conditions, including working hours, intensity of work, workplace conditions, and occupational hazards.
- The dynamics of wage determination, wage structure, and wage development across different sectors and professions.
- The changing patterns of consumption and expenditure among South Korean households, with a focus on the impact of industrialization on food consumption, housing, and other aspects of daily life.
- The provision and access to social security programs in South Korea, including the insurance system, livelihood protection programs, and self-welfare services.
- The distribution of income and the prevalence of poverty in South Korea, examining the impact of economic development on income inequality and the social well-being of the population.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter I explores the working conditions prevalent in South Korea during the period of rapid industrialization, focusing on the evolution of working hours, the intensity of work, workplace conditions, and occupational hazards. It examines the impact of economic growth on the lives of South Korean workers, highlighting the challenges they faced in terms of workload, health and safety, and labor turnover.
Chapter II delves into the complexities of wage determination in South Korea, analyzing the historical development of wage levels, the role of trade unions and worker movements, and the statutory regulations governing overtime payments. It examines the structure of the Korean wage system, including wage determination within companies, and analyzes the trends in wage development across different sectors, professions, and gender.
Chapter III focuses on the changing patterns of consumption and expenditure among South Korean households during the period of rapid industrialization. It examines the reduction in household size, the fluctuations in the number of working family members, and the decline in food expenses as a proportion of total expenditure. It also analyzes the expenditure patterns for housing, energy, clothing, and other miscellaneous goods and services.
Chapter IV analyzes the provision of social security programs in South Korea, comparing the expenses for social security with other nations. It examines the structure of the social security program, including the insurance system, the livelihood-protection program, and self-welfare services. This chapter provides insights into the government's role in social welfare during a period of rapid economic growth.
Chapter V examines the distribution of income and the prevalence of poverty in South Korea, comparing the income distribution data with other nations. It explores the historical reasons for the moderate income inequality in South Korea and analyzes the development of income distribution during the 1970s. The chapter concludes with an analysis of poverty in South Korea and the socio-economic characteristics of urban households experiencing poverty.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The study focuses on the working and living conditions in South Korea during the period of export-oriented industrialization, exploring key concepts such as labor standards, wage determination, consumption patterns, social security, income distribution, and poverty. It examines the relationship between economic growth, social welfare, and the well-being of South Korean workers during a period of rapid transformation.
- Quote paper
- Kurt Lehberger (Author), 1984, The Working and Living Conditions in South Korea in the stage of the export-oriented Industrialization (1965-1980), Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/316903
