The Day Seoul Burned: Park Chung-hee's Industrial Gambit

In this episode, we trace the explosive transformation of South Korea from a war-torn dependency to an industrial powerhouse, focusing on the controversial and decisive policies of Park Chung-hee in the mid-1960s. While previous episodes covered the human cost of the Korean War and the early days of reconstruction, we now zoom in on the specific mechanisms of the Han River Miracle. We explore how Park established the Heavy and Chemical Industry (HCI) drive, backed by the ruthless efficiency of the Economic Planning Board under Kim Jong-pil. The narrative highlights the pivotal role of POSCO in Pohang, transforming iron ore into the steel backbone of global manufacturing, and examines the geopolitical tightrope walked with Japan following the 1965 Treaty of Basic Relations. Through the stories of factory workers, corporate leaders like Chung Ju-yung, and the political maneuvering that silenced dissent, we uncover how authoritarian discipline fueled unprecedented economic growth, leaving a complex legacy of prosperity built on suppressed labor rights and nationalistic fervor.

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