Korea’s Food Situation in Relation to the May 16 Military Coup and Economic Development

The 5.16 military coup, which took place during chaos after the Rhee Syngman administration collapsed with the April 19 student revolution, was a political change that marked a milestone in modern Korean history. Park Chung-hee, who came to power through a military coup, devoted himself to national reconstruction through economic development, achieving economic growth that surprised the world. This chapter reviews the history of economic growth and food self-sufficiency achieved during the 20 years of the Third Republic of the Park Chung-hee regime. The Saemaul Movement, rice self-sufficiency, and food industry development are described, and changes in Koreans’ health and nutrition status are outlined.