thanks for looking up the debt tables; i should do the checking before spouting off next time.
the emphasis on exports was the means the state used to discipline capital, rather than letting them run riot under an i-s regime. but exports used to be a small proportion of gdp (and are still a relatively small proportion when compared to the se asian economies), the local market was protected and, to this day, it's hard for imports to break into the korean market. even the recent burgeoning of the korean culture industry -- it's a curiosity that korean soaps have taken the e asian market by storm -- was as a reaction to the attempt to crack that korean market. again, exports as the sieve, but very much directed to the home market as well.
kj