Online Reporter
Park Jae-kyung
Korea’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe
DEVELOPMENT is not only about policies and infrastructure. It is, above all, about people — about communities that work together with shared purpose and pride.
This belief lies at the heart of Korea’s cooperation with Zimbabwe. It is also the story behind Korea’s Saemaul Undong (New Village Movement), which transformed our rural landscape in the 1970s from poverty to prosperity through the spirit of self-help, diligence, and cooperation.
Last month, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, visited Korea and participated in the Global Saemaul Cooperation Ministerial Conference in Gyeongju.
Her visit was more than a diplomatic engagement; it was a reaffirmation that Zimbabwe and Korea share a common vision — that real change begins in the village.
The Saemaul Undong was not an imported model, nor a government decree. It began with people gathering under trees — much like traditional village meetings in Zimbabwe — deciding what they could do with their own hands: repairing a bridge, cleaning a water well, planting trees, or building a communal granary.
The government offered guidance and modest support, but success depended on the people’s will. Within a decade, these collective efforts transformed thousands of villages and laid the social foundation for Korea’s rapid modernisation.
In Zimbabwe, I have seen the same spirit alive and strong. During my visits to rural communities — from Shamva and Goromonzi to Masvingo — I have eaten sadza with my hands alongside villagers, farmers, and local leaders.
The experience reminded me of my own country’s past: the humility of working the land, the taste of hard-earned food, and the warmth of community. As we say in Shona, “Kubatana kushanda” (Unity is strength).
This year, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea donated a set of agricultural equipment and tools to support community-based farming groups through the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development. While modest in scale compared to Zimbabwe’s vast needs, the gesture was deeply meaningful. It symbolised our commitment to walking together with the people — shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand.
Beyond bilateral goodwill, our cooperation in agriculture continues to grow through the Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA), which works closely with the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC). The KOPIA Centre in Harare has been testing improved crop varieties, including drought-tolerant maize, and conducting farmer training programs aimed at increasing productivity and resilience in the face of climate challenges.
At the same time, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Korea has been supporting capacity-building programs and training for public officials and community leaders. These initiatives are designed to share lessons from Korea’s rural transformation — not to copy, but to adapt and inspire.
Building on these foundations, I am pleased to announce that a pilot Saemaul Undong project will begin next year in selected rural communities in Zimbabwe. This project, developed jointly with relevant ministries and community leaders, will focus on improving village infrastructure, strengthening community leadership, and supporting small-scale income-generating activities. Most importantly, it will be guided by the principles of ownership, participation, and transparency.
The Saemaul spirit perfectly aligns with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and the Government’s focus on empowering women and youth. The Government of Zimbabwe continues to place emphasis on inclusive rural development, particularly through empowering women and youth as key drivers of community transformation. This vision and commitment to uplifting communities through cooperation and innovation resonate with the Saemaul philosophy that transformed Korea’s villages.
As partners, Korea and Zimbabwe have much to learn from each other. Korea brings experience and technology, while Zimbabwe offers rich land, creativity, and a resilient spirit. Together, we can cultivate what I like to call a New Village Spirit — one that empowers every household, uplifts every community, and honours the dignity of every worker.
In Korea, we say, “When one village rises, the whole nation rises.” In Shona, we might say, “Ramangwana riri nani rinotangira kumusha” (A better tomorrow begins in the village).
Let us continue to work hand in hand — maoko pamwe chete — to build that better tomorrow for both our peoples.
