Korean Experience and Achievement in Higher Education

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the transition of Korean higher education reform and to weigh Korean experience and achievement in contemporary higher education. The paper first of all illustrates a historical perspective on higher education in light of educational reform. Secondly, this study reviews the achievements of Korean higher education linking to economic growth. Thirdly, the author examines educational zeal as a main factor for the development of Korean higher education. Finally, the current national policy of Korean higher education is discussed. The author evaluates that between the 1960s and the 1970s a modernization doctrine and a human capital theory, as a link of policy for manpower demand and supply, were accepted by policy makers of the government and brought about the national economic development as well as individual`s income. In addition, from the early 1980s until the present time, Korean higher education has been drastically increased in the aspects of manpower requirement and social demand due to the diversity of industrial and social structure as well as Koreans` educational zeal. Although Korea has already achieved universal higher education, the quality still lags behind its international competitors`.