How Did South Korea Become So Rich?

Home to Samsung Galaxy phones, world-class internet speeds and Gangnam Style, South Korea was not always as glitzy and prosperous as it is today. Just half a century ago, the country was one of the world’s poorest, faring worse than that of its archenemy North Korea. After the Korean War (1950-53), South Korea was left devastated; many buildings were ruined, life expectancy plunged to below 50 years, and at least one million civilians were killed. But within a single generation, South Korea ha