Examples of Policies Implemented by Bad Leaders that Benefited Future Generations

 

The title of the article can be translated as "Will North Korea’s Solo Development of Mount Kumgang Become a Golden Goose?"

North Korea is one of the few remaining dictatorships in the world. Kim Jong-un, the ruler of North Korea, inherited the regime from his father, Kim Jong-il. Despite his young age, Kim Jong-un smoothly transferred power from the firmly established regime, leading the nation with relative stability. However, while the world rapidly developed, North Korea lagged behind and became increasingly impoverished. The North Korean elite recognized the need for drastic measures to address these issues. As a result, Kim Jong-un decided to revive the Mount Kumgang development project, which was initially started by his grandfather Kim Il-sung but later halted. His goal was to transform it into a world-class tourist destination. The Mount Kumgang development project was initially a joint effort between South and North Korea. However, due to deteriorating diplomatic relations, the project was suspended. After years of stagnation, North Korea unilaterally announced its intention to develop Mount Kumgang on its own, without South Korea’s involvement. To realize Kim Jong-un’s ambitious vision of making Mount Kumgang a global tourist attraction, many North Korean citizens have been mobilized. Could the future development of Mount Kumgang become a rising tourist hub in Northeast Asia?
Let’s take a look at some historical construction projects led by infamous rulers that ended up benefiting future generations.

(Left) Adolf Hitler, Leader of the Nazi Party (Right) Germany's Autobahn Highway

The Autobahn: A Contribution to Germany’s Industrial Growth by Dictator Hitler

Adolf Hitler was the Chancellor of Germany and the instigator of World War II. Following Germany’s defeat in World War I, the country was forced to pay massive reparations to the victors. In an attempt to pay off these debts, Germany began printing more money, which led to unprecedented hyperinflation. The German public suffered greatly from rising taxes and prices. Hitler, who presented himself as a savior to the hopeless German people, manipulated their grievances to gain support. His Nazi Party grew from a fringe group into a central political force. Upon becoming Chancellor, Hitler, acting on a proposal by his closest confidant Joseph Goebbels, initiated the construction of the Autobahn. The Autobahn, meaning "highway" in German, is often referred to as the veins of a nation, facilitating rapid industrial growth. Similarly, South Korea achieved industrialization during the presidency of Park Chung-hee by constructing the Gyeongbu Expressway, which allowed goods arriving in Busan to be quickly transported to Seoul. Just as the road network was the foundation of the Roman Empire’s prosperity, Germany built the Autobahn to allow cars to travel quickly across the country. The highway was also designed wide enough to be used as emergency landing strips for airplanes during times of war. Though Germany was ultimately defeated in World War II, the Autobahn laid the groundwork for the country’s future rapid economic growth.

 

(Left) Emperor Yang of Sui, the Second Emperor of the Sui Dynasty

The Grand Canal: The Brainchild of Tyrant Emperor Yang of Sui, Now China’s Logistics Hub

Emperor Yang of Sui is considered one of the worst emperors in Chinese history. Upon becoming emperor, he aggressively pursued the conquest of Goguryeo, a goal that had eluded his predecessors. To facilitate the transport of goods from the resource-rich southern regions to the north, he mobilized a vast number of workers to build the Grand Canal. The canal, stretching from Beijing to Hangzhou, traverses four provinces—Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang—and spans 1,789 kilometers. The Sui dynasty ultimately fell due to the heavy tax burden imposed by the massive construction projects and the failed Goguryeo invasions, which weakened the state. However, the Grand Canal, completed under Emperor Yang’s reign, laid the foundation for the prosperity of the Tang dynasty, which followed. The Tang dynasty is often considered one of the most prosperous periods in Chinese history. Though Emperor Yang is remembered as a tyrant, the Grand Canal he built played a crucial role in connecting China’s north and south and became the backbone of Chinese logistics for centuries. Today, the cities surrounding the canal continue to thrive economically. By comparing these historical examples, we can ponder whether North Korea’s efforts to develop Mount Kumgang will follow a similar path. While the development is currently clouded by challenges, it may ultimately contribute to the country's future prosperity.

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