KOREA FOUNDATION

Experience of Territorial Division Connects Germany and Korea

In 1883, Germany and Korea established diplomatic relations, and the two countries have maintained close ties, in part due to their historical bond stemming from their shared experience of territorial division.

Soon after the end of World War II, West Germany achieved an impressive economic development that became known as the “Miracle on the Rhine,” and, about a decade after the Korean War, South Korea followed suit with its “Miracle on the Han River.” Between 1963 and 1977, Korea sent around 20,000 nurses and miners to Germany; these Korean workers then sent their earnings to their families back home, thus contributing to building the foundation of Korea’s economic recovery. Some of the nurses and miners have since returned to their native land, settling in the Namhae German Village in Namhae County, South Gyeongsang Province. The village was featured in an article in the 199th issue of the KF Newsletter.

(https://www.kf.or.kr/kfNewsletter/mgzinSubViewPage.do?mgzinSn=10745&mgzinSubSn=10781&langTy=ENG)

This year marks the 140th anniversary of German-Korean ties and a variety of commemorative events, including exhibitions, performances, and academic conferences, have been held or are underway. From November 1 to 3, the 21st German-Korean Forum will be held in Busan. For more information about the forum and the concurrent 11th German-Korean Junior Forum, please visit: (https://www.kf.or.kr/kfNewsletter/mgzinSubViewPage.do?mgzinSn=14321&mgzinSubSn=27025&langTy=ENG)

A view of Namhae German Village in Namhae Country, South Gyeongsang Province

Photo courtesy of Cultural Tourism Department at Namhae County Office

GermanyTerritorial DivisionMiracle on the RhineMiracle on the Han RivernursesminersNamhae German VillageGerman-Korean Forum