close the gap, the government initiated Saemaul Undong, hoping to develop
rural community conditions to match those of the cities. The major objectives
of Saemaul Undong were (i) income generation, (ii) living environment and basic
rural infrastructure improvement, and (iii) capacity building and attitudinal change
(Park 2009). The Saemaul movement brought about some success in rural development
and helped the rural community generate not only farm-based income
but also nonfarm income sources, thus contributing to a more equitable income
distribution between urban and rural areas.