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This article reflects on South Korea's remarkable transformation over the past seventy years—from one of the world's poorest nations to a leading economy, democracy, and cultural powerhouse—while examining the structural challenges it now faces, including economic stagnation, political polarization, and declining social trust. It argues that overcoming these challenges will require long-term national vision, governance reform, stronger social cohesion, and institutional innovation. Above all, the author expresses confidence that Korea's highly educated younger generation, supported by independent intellectual leadership, will play a pivotal role in shaping the country's next stage of development and contributing to the future global order.