리비아의 대수로, 주베일 항만, 해외건설 경험이 일천한 극동의 작은 나라가 어떻게 대규모 중동 건설공사를 맡게 됐을까? (KBS 20131012 방송)

Documentary Theater - Digging for Gold in the Desert, 40 Years of Middle Eastern Special Demand 1. Let's Go to the Middle East! Middle Eastern Special Korean workers shed their sweat in this distant foreign land, requiring multiple plane transfers. Beginning in the mid-1970s, driven by the desire to live a better life, they began to dive into Middle Eastern construction projects. Fighting austere lifestyles, arduous labor, and longing for family, they hoped for a better tomorrow. And their dreams, stained with sweat and tears, continue to this day in the sweltering land of the Middle East, on construction sites. Through on-site reporting in Saudi Arabia, we trace the 40-year journey. 2. Oil Shocks: Finding Opportunity in Crisis The first oil shock in 1973 and the second oil shock in 1978 rocked the Korean economy. The policies of Middle Eastern oil-producing countries, which quadrupled crude oil prices, caused the damage to Korea, a country at the height of its heavy chemical industry, more severe than any other. Middle Eastern countries, overflowing with oil dollars, began to build key national industries, and Korea turned its attention to the places where oil money was accumulating. This was the beginning of the "Middle East Special Demand," a counter-offensive aimed at overcoming the oil crisis with oil dollars. 3. Koreans Building Landmarks in the Middle East Samhwan Enterprises' 1973 construction project on the Khayba-AlUla Expressway in Saudi Arabia marked its first foray into the Middle East. To shorten the construction period, they even worked at night, carrying torches. King Faisal, upon seeing this, praised the diligence of Korean workers. Subsequently, Korean construction companies began receiving increasing numbers of orders from the Middle East, ultimately securing a contract for the Jubail Industrial Port in Saudi Arabia, a project worth a quarter of Korea's budget at the time. Furthermore, Korean companies achieved the remarkable feat of winning a contract for the Great Man-Made Waterway in Libya, often called the Eighth Wonder of the World. How were these astonishing undertakings possible? We hear vivid stories from those who made this undertaking possible. 4. Dreams in the Desert - The Birth of the Middle Class Overseas workers endured longing for their families and homeland in distant lands. They persevered through each day with letters from family, nostalgic pop songs, and the dream of owning their own home upon returning to Korea. Earning three to four times their salaries in Korea, these overseas workers were able to save enough to purchase a small home after their trip to the Middle East, providing them with the opportunity to leap into the middle class. We meet these workers who nurtured their dreams amidst the sandstorm. 5. Korean Construction Companies Become Private Diplomats The Middle East special offer didn't just bring economic benefits to Korea. It also played a significant role in establishing diplomatic relations with unfamiliar Middle Eastern countries. Interaction with Middle Eastern countries, with their vastly different customs and living environments, was more significant than establishing diplomatic relations with countries like the US, UK, and Germany. Tehran-ro in Gangnam, Seoul, is a prime example of these diplomatic ties with Middle Eastern countries. In this way, Middle Eastern construction served as a bridgehead for diplomatic advancement. #MiddleEastSpecial #MiddleEastOrders #Diplomacy