"In 1960, in the aftermath of a devastating war, ... exhausted [South Korea] was one of the poorest countries in the world, with an income per head on a par with the poorest parts of Africa. By the end of 2011 it will be richer than the European Union average... South Korea is the only country that has so far managed to go from being the recipient of a lot of development aid to being rich within a working life." - an excerpt from the Economist Magazine, November, 2011.
And today it's capital city is so robust and diverse that there's something in it for everyone. Seoul is comprised of 25 different districts, the newest having been infamously captured in a song boasting its name: Gangnam. The others, having evaded the mocking tunes of Korea's most world renowned musician, Psy, have distinct personalities of their own. From financial districts, historical sights, underground discount shopping, university havens, American military posts, to hipsters paradise. It's hard to imagine 30 years ago the city lacked even the most basic necessities, including soap and toothpaste.
1 comment:
I was impressed with how far the country had come along when they hosted the Olympics years ago. Even more impressed now.
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