I will summarize the existing research and then present my own thoughts.
Korea’s Paradox
South Korea is often seen as an educational miracle. In the 1950s, only about half of the children of elementary school age were enrolled in school. Yet within fifty years, Korea became one of the countries with the highest rates of participation in higher education. However, the old Korean saying that “a dragon can rise from a small stream” suggests that someone from a poor background can achieve success through talent and hard work. This idea seems increasingly outdated.
When Education Was a Source of Hope
From the 1960s to the 1980s, education served as a true ladder for social mobility. A child from a poor rural family could study hard, get into a prestigious university like Seoul National University, and secure a stable middle-class life. The growth of public education and policies like high school equalization improved access to quality education, regardless of family wealth or social background. Education offered a realistic way out of poverty.