LBCE No. 5: The Role of West Germany in the Economic Development of Korea

The presentation was attended by foreign guest professors such as Prof. Colm Ross (Ireland), Prof. Norifumi Namatame (Japan), Prof. Marc Young (USA), Prof. Becky Strauss (USA).

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong's research focuses on reflecting the needs and development goals of Korea in the difficult context of the early 1960s, explaining and proving the important role of West Germany in Korea's economic development in the 1960s. Accordingly, the foreign currency that Korea received from West Germany through loans and wages sent back by Korean workers in West Germany were important start-up capital, contributing to the successful implementation of the first 5-year economic development plan, creating momentum for the formation of the "miracle of the Han River" in the late 1970s.

The author received a lot of attention and discussion from LBCE members. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Principal of the school) said that this was a good research idea that needed to be invested in and perfected. The Principal also asked questions to clarify the scope of the research and the research object of the topic. Prof. Ross said that the reporter had a very unique and interesting research idea and suggested that he would be ready to support the reporter in the research.

Guests and LBCE members raised questions around the topic: Why Germany and not the United States or other countries? Korea sent a large number of nurses to West Germany during the research period, did that affect the Korean healthcare system? Besides West Germany, did Korea export labor to other countries? Experience in exporting labor to Vietnam? After 3 years of working under the contract in West Germany, did Korean miners and nurses continue to participate in similar activities in Korea?

This lunch also started later than usual and the discussion continued until the end. In addition to hearing about each individual's new research results, LBCE members also learned how to present a scientific research in a concise and easy-to-understand way in English.