Development Assistance and Economic Revival
Explore the impact of U.S. and international development aid on South Korea’s economic revival after the Korean War
U.S. Lieutenant Colonel White Delivering Relief Supplies to a Local Orphanage (1959) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
The United States continued to provide support to the Republic of Korea through the Korean Civil Assistance Command (KCAC) even after the armistice.
Welcoming Ceremony for the Arrival of U.S. Food Aid (1957) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
The United States provided ongoing support to the Republic of Korea, including flour, sugar, and cotton, which helped develop the so-called “Three White Industries“ (flour milling, sugar refining, and cotton textile manufacturing) in the 1950s.
Inaugural Train Ride on the Reopened Third Hangang Railway Bridge (1957) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
The Third Hangang Railway Bridge was restored in 1957 with U.S. support.
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This is the current view of the Hangang Railway Bridge, with Yeouido, Korea’s financial hub, visible in the background. Today, high-speed trains traveling up to 350 km/h run over the bridge.
Inspection at the KIST Construction Site at Hongneung (1967) by Ministry of Science and TechnologyNational Archives of Korea
In 1965, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States (U.S.) agreed to jointly establish a comprehensive research institution, which led to the founding of Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST).
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This is the current view of KIST, which now employs over 3,000 staff members engaged in R&D. It has expanded to include international collaborations, such as the establishment of the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST).
Construction Site of the Busan Port International Passenger Terminal (1976) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
Korea received support from the United States, the United Nations, and other global organizations. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Saudi Fund for Development financed the construction of Piers 5, 7, and 8 at Busan Port, along with passenger terminals
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This is the current view of Busan Port. It is the largest port in Korea and continues to grow as one of the world’s top shipping hubs, currently ranking seventh globally in cargo volume (as of 2023).
Signing Ceremony of the Agreement Under the UNSF (1962) by The Bureau of Public InformationNational Archives of Korea
South Korea also received support from the United Nations Special Fund (UNSF), established by the UN in 1959 to assist developing nations.
Agreement Between the ROK Government and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Agreement Between the ROK Government and the UN Development Programme (ENG) (1978) by Ministry of Foreign AffairsNational Archives of Korea
The UN Special Fund (UNSF) later expanded into the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). South Korea received support for agriculture, fisheries, the heavy chemical industry, and the energy sector via agreements with the UNDP.
Agreement Between the ROK Government and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Agreement Between the ROK Government and the UN Development Programme (KOR) (1978) by Ministry of Foreign AffairsNational Archives of Korea
With this support, South Korea laid the foundation for industrialization and began its path to economic growth. It officially graduated from aid recipient status when it became a net contributor to the UNDP in 2000 and has since become one of its key partner countries.
Explore the UN's role in Korea's post-war recovery. Learn how Korea transitioned from receiving aid to providing support for other countries.
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