What really mattered in bringing about a sudden economic takeoff in war-devastated South Korea were the ideational dimensions that shaped Park's cognitive beliefs.
As many analysts have argued, ideas embedded in ideologies, information, and images not only guide leaders. Their thoughts, policy preferences and strategic choices are bounded by their own ontological locus. It has rather a complex gestalt with its own structure and organization that must essentially g be seen as a system.
However, Park’s ideational structure was complex, having a triple layer of ideas images that were sometimes complementary and at other times contradictory.
Although his association with Japan had shaped the foundations of his modernization strategy, Korean nationalism served as his primary driving force.