K. Lee (1984). A New History of Korea. Harvard University Press

So at the time of the partition, North Korea had most of the minerals, energy resources, and heavy industry, while South Korea had most of the light industry and agricultural lands. Most of Korea's industrial and energy facilities were destroyed in the Korean War, so in the mid-fifties, both North and South Korea essentially started rebuilding their respective economies from the ground up.

In 1945, industrial and agricultural methods were still primitive by contemporary western standards. Most of the light industrial products were produced by hand in small shops like this brass factory.

Agriculture in 1945 was also almost entirely done by human and animal power. Although farmland was not destroyed by the War, the lack of industrial capacity to produce heavy farm machinery and fertilizers, as well as the lack of investment capital in the hands of farmers, prevented widespread use of modern farming methods for decades. Even in the 1970's, plowing with draft animals was the rule rather than the exception, as shown in the photo below.

While most of the minerals are still in the North and most of the farmlands are still in the South, the relative size and strength of the respective economies of North and South Korea have changed significantly. The economies in the two Koreas have been rebuilt during the last 40 years according to the different economic philosophies of their respective governments and within different economic communities. How have they fared? For a quick summary, you can visit the sections here on the South Korean economy and the North Korean economy. For a more in-depth look, you will need to find references in your library or on the Internet.

[ Korea Today ] [ The Land of Korea ] [ The People of Korea ]
[ The Economy ] [ Current World Relations ]
[ References ] [ PBL Model ]

[ Home ] [ Teacher Pages ] [ Modules & Activities ]