National pride and global citizenship
Prior to the Olympic Games Seoul 1988, South Korea was perceived internationally as a poor, war-stricken and divided country. The fact that it was able to host the Olympic Games was an impressive feat, not only for international audiences, but also for South Koreans themselves.
The Olympic Games evoked a surge of global citizenship and national pride among Koreans. The Games were also the first major sporting event held in the country. In line with the core principles of Olympism, Korean citizens were encouraged to experience and reflect on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, the benefits of sport and physical activity and their impact on personal health and social interaction. Moreover, the Games created an opportunity for Koreans to openly celebrate and embrace their culture, promoting national pride, inclusivity and a sense of belonging.
Urban development projects which took place in the lead-up to the Games transformed Seoul from a war-torn city into a modern metropolis. These included the development of the Han River area and numerous city development projects. Furthermore, Korea’s economic achievements and Seoul becoming a modern metropolis were successfully introduced on the international stage, helping Koreans become global citizens. This also led to the hosting of other major events in the country, such as the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.
The national pride and global citizenship promoted thanks to the Olympic Games permeated into society and helped Koreans and Korean corporations to advance onto the global stage. These changes in mindset, together with the unprecedented economic development of the country in the 1980s, contributed to Korea’s becoming an OECD member country.