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Contemporary
1997년경제

IMF Financial Crisis

Depletion of foreign currency reserves forced Korea to seek an IMF bailout, resulting in massive restructuring and unemployment; a national gold-collection campaign was launched in response.

Key developments

  1. 1997.11Foreign Exchange Crisis

    With foreign currency reserves exhausted and national default looming, the government requested an IMF bailout.

  2. 기업 구조조정Massive Corporate Restructuring

    Sweeping restructuring of corporations and financial institutions led to mass layoffs and soaring unemployment.

  3. 금 모으기Gold Collection Campaign

    Citizens voluntarily donated gold jewelry to help repay foreign debt in a nationwide gold collection campaign.

  4. 2001년Early Exit from IMF Program

    Korea repaid the IMF loans ahead of schedule in 2001, successfully overcoming the crisis.

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