Dongdaemun is one of the many metro rail stations in Seoul. As you step onto the escalator there and if not aware of the manners, someone from behind may caution you not to stand on the lane right to a marked line on its middle, which is meant for other people to move faster. Religiously, all the commuters follow this rule at all the stations. This in fact, is more a spirit of a nation than an exception. Everyone in Korea seems to be on a faster mode than the rest of the world as for everything, they would say pali-pali.
Pali-pali, is a phenomenal attitude which developed in Korea as a matter of urgency. Etymologically connoting swiftness in Korean language, it is a manifestation of fast life, where people are caught between necessity and urgency, that they should do something. Pali-pali helped the people to internalize the value of self-reliance, diligence, self-help, high quality and fast service.
Till 1960s, Korea was a typical underdeveloped agrarian economy, manifested by frequent flood, famine, slow growth and lack of enterprise. The students of history would find the story of development of this country quite interesting. In a shortest span of about 60 years, Korea attained a per capita annual income exceeding USD 36,000 (around USD 36,239 in 2024, with projections around USD 35,962–37,523 in 2025–2026), which was only USD 87 in 1962 by making total transformation of an agrarian economy to an industrialized one. Today, it is one of the world’s top economies—ranking approximately 13th–14th largest by nominal GDP (around USD 1.86–1.87 trillion in recent estimates) with a per capita income well above USD 35,000–36,000. They achieved this despite the fact that the country has limited raw materials for industrial development, agricultural surplus or initial great technological strength. In one or two generations of people, a sort of miracle was achieved due to the hard work, strong determination, long term shared vision and overall, a quick speed of every work.
South Korea maintains near-universal literacy, with the adult literacy rate at approximately 98.8% (latest UNESCO data from 2018, with no significant change reported since). There is tremendous competition amongst the parents to put their children in the best of schools, send them abroad and provide private tuition. One would find it common to see students with long study hours in Seoul city. In recent PISA assessments (2022), Korean 15-year-olds performed strongly:
scoring 527 in mathematics (6th globally/ OECD), 515 in reading, and 528 in science—well above OECD averages (e.g., 472 in math, 476 in reading, 485 in science). Korea ranks among the top performers, often in the top 5–10 across categories, with high proficiency levels (e.g., 84% at least Level 2 in math vs. OECD 69%) and relatively equitable outcomes across socioeconomic groups compared to many nations.
The average learning hours per week for a Korean student remain intensive, contributing to strong educational outcomes. Here is a nation, which believes in better preparedness of the country for tomorrow.
On the streets of Seoul, protests and agitations occur, but often in organized ways that minimize disruption to daily life and productivity—reflecting the same disciplined “pali-pali” efficiency.
Korea is a nation which historically worked the hardest, though working hours have declined in recent years due to reforms (e.g., the 52-hour workweek cap). The average annual hours worked per worker stood at around 1,859–1,910 in 2023–2024 (OECD data), still above the OECD average (around 1,700–1,736) but no longer the absolute highest (now ranking around 5th–6th). This reflects ongoing efforts to balance productivity and well-being.
It is important to get an insight into how the Korean plan and work for future, quite ahead of others through few examples as below.
The Government has established institutions like Gyeonggi Technopark (GTP), a home to numerous knowledge-based high-tech enterprises and research institutes. It continues to foster innovation, support startups, and drive regional economic growth through technology commercialization and collaboration with universities.
Another key institution, KITECH (Korea Institute of Industrial Technology), supports Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in technology development, commercialization, and international R&D cooperation—helping maintain Korea’s edge in advanced industries.
Korea has created unique models for industry-academia cooperation and research clusters, such as the Education-Research-Industry Cluster at Hanyang University’s ERICA campus, aiming to replicate Silicon Valley-like synergies.
The Korea IT International Cooperation Agency (KIICA, or similar bodies) continues to support global expansion of IT firms.
Today Korea maintains a global lead in key ICT sectors. It ranks among the top in areas like semiconductors, displays (e.g., TFT-LCD, OLED), memory chips (DRAM), and mobile technologies. ICT remains a major export driver, with high-tech and ICT goods comprising a significant share of exports (e.g., ICT goods around 27–28% of total goods exports in recent data, and semiconductors/ computers surging in 2025–2026 amid AI demand). The country boasts world-class broadband infrastructure and continues to innovate in digital technologies.
There are so many new and exciting things happening in Korea. One would be struck by the vision of their leaders with the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ). It recognizes Northeast Asia’s importance as a major trading bloc. Korea’s strategic location between China and Japan positions IFEZ as a hub for FDI in knowledge-based, service, logistics, and high-tech industries. IFEZ (including Songdo, Yeongjong, and Cheongna districts) offers deregulated environments, top-tier infrastructure, international schools, and English-friendly services. It continues to evolve, with ongoing developments like new business towns, AI-focused initiatives (e.g., CES 2026 promotions), and infrastructure projects. While ambitious landmarks like the original 151-story Incheon Tower project were canceled or delayed, related developments (e.g., a planned 103-story/ 420m tower in Songdo, with ground breaking targeted for 2025–2026 and completion by 2033) underscore the forward momentum. IFEZ aims to drive Korea’s growth into the 21st century and beyond.
Everyone in the globalized economy works hard. The nation believes that it has to work smart and even harder to remain in the lead by developing faster—though with greater emphasis on sustainability and work-life balance in recent years. There is a preparedness for future everywhere in Korea. It is the speed, innovation, and disciplined execution which matters there. That is why it is Pali Pali everywhere.
By Bishnupada Sethi, IAS
The author serves as the Chairman of the Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC) and continues as the Chief Administrator of the KBK districts.
