Miracle Behind Saemaul Undong: And the Need to be Rolled out Throughout Uganda.

Saemaul Undong (새마울운동) is translated as "New Village Movement". It's derived from three Korean words: Sae-New, Maul-Village and Undong-Movement. It’s a movement with diligence, self-help, and cooperation as the supporting pillars. Through this movement, Korea was able to transform from helplessness and Aid recipient to a donor country an achievement made possible by developing rural areas.

From helplessness and Aid recipient to a donor country

The birth of the movement.

South Korea got its independence from Japan after 35 years of colonialism on 15, August 1945. Five years after its liberation, the country was attacked by the Northern peninsula. During the war, the UN and the United States supported the South Korean government while China and the Soviet Union sided with the North Korean government. The war was a catastrophe and claimed many lives of the Koreans.

Abandoned child during the war

The war ended in July 1953. Half of the Southern peninsula’s buildings and infrastructures were destroyed leaving the people helpless without food, shelter, medication, and clothes. Over 50% of the national budget was from foreign Aid and Uganda was among the countries that donated to Korea. Moreover, Korea was ranked among the fallen nations at the time. The government of President Park Chung-Hee came up with innovations and reforms among which was Saemaul Undong. 

Saemaul Undong activities after the war

The movement’s primary role was to bridge the gap between the rural and the urban people. The development was centralized in urban centres with the rural people living in absolute poverty. It was the prerogative of the government to incorporate the rural areas in the struggle for development.

The aftermath of the movement.

The diligence, self-help, and cooperative spirit brought cohesion among the people. It became the slogan of national development even after the high-income status was attained. The successes attributed to the movement are manifold. Rural areas advanced with increased rice production which improved food security. Rural household living standards and incomes upgraded to the level of urban households.

Rice production during the movement

 In 2014, Korea trailed Australia and edged past Spain in terms of economic size, the statistical agency reported. The country's nominal gross domestic product (GDP) shot up from 47.7 billion won (US$40.9 million) in 1953, soaring to 1,485 trillion won in 2014 making it the fourth-largest economy 70 years from independence. Today, South Korea is the first in both shipbuilding and heavy industry manufacturing, second in semiconductor production and cell production, fifth in car manufacturing and sixth in steel manufacturing.  Korea’s transformation from helplessness and aid recipient to a donor country was made possible by empowering rural areas.

Among the other key factors in Korean development was the government’s land policies that gave farmers full control of the land and the produces. Additionally, mindset programs were a channel through which the government empowered its people. These programs changed people's perspective towards work hence working harmoniously to develop their country. Furthermore, the revolution in education was another key factor. In 1950, the adult illiteracy level was tallied at 77% but through different education programs, it regressed to 9% by 1990. Inability to read and write halts the use of technology, hence limiting development.

Last but not the list, there was a government reform movement where war was waged against corrupt leaders in different organs and ministries. Whoever was found guilty was charged and cast into prison. This improved the efficacy of resources leading to tremendous economic development.

A brief of my Korean Experience.

I lived in Korea for about two years. The mindset change program I practically went through superseded the primary goal of achieving a master’s degree. Much as the degree was important, it would have been a waste of breath had I risked not to embrace the Korean way of work. In my farewell speech at AICF in Jeonju, I shared the ‘slow-but-sure’ spirit of work in Uganda as opposed to the ‘ppalli ppalli’ way of the Koreans. Ppalli ppalli (빨리 빨리) translates to ‘fast fast’ and is a culture to do things very fast. They speak fast, eat fast, walk fast and work fast.

In his speech, the co-founder of Dodram company Kil Gin-Bu emphasized the need for unity. Dodram is the number one swine company in Korea an achievement made possible through cooperatives, he continued. Together with Professor Lee Hak Kyo, they believed that if only we debunked our selfish ambitions and embraced brotherhood and humility, we would be the pioneers of change in Uganda. These words were the epitome for the formation of SPODA Enterprises Ltd, a company formed to transform the livestock sector of eastern Africa through mindset change programs and modern farming technologies.

Why focus on rural areas?

Over 70% of the population in developing countries and over 90% of the poor live in rural areas. Therefore, focusing on such areas is key to eradicating poverty. “Korea is the only country in the world that has transformed itself from an aid recipient to a donor country, an achievement made possible by developing rural areas under Saemaul Undong” reported the Korea Saemaul Center. The simplicity of the model enables its quick adoption, adaption and spread. The villages list their problems and needs. Together with their leaders, the needs are prioritized, and possible solutions formulated. The government’s role is to provide support in terms of inputs and technical advice, but most of the work is done by the village members.

Kibiito residents rehabilitate the Kabarungi road in Bunyangabu. Korean aid approach Saemaul Undong is touching minds, changing lives across Uganda. PHOTO | MORGAN MBABAZI | NATION 

In Uganda, Saemaul Undong was conceptualized over five years ago and its successes are manifold. With the National Farmers Leadership Center (NFLC) in Mpigi district as the epicentre for the movement, it has extended to other regions across the country. However, there is still more need to spread to all parts of the country. With the current impact of COVID-19 on food security, the model would help in quick recovery from the economic shock.

During the multi-stakeholder consultative workshop for the formulation of the National Rural Development Strategy in November 2018,  the Korean Ambassador to Uganda, Kim You-Churl stressed the need to put into consideration new challenges and opportunities faced by rural regions in the country that Korea did not face in the past. Such challenges include a more demanding competitive international environment and less room for government intervention, rapidly growing rural populations, increased pressure on limited environmental sources and climate change.

With the registered successes in all the parts of the country where Saemaul Undong has been piloted, it is hire time we spread the movement to other parts of the country. We are the change were are looking for. The Curfew, lockdown and the closure of Ugandan borders should be an eye-opener to us. We have most of the resources we need. We have the visionary leaders we can look to. What we ONLY need is A NEW MINDSET.