1. IntroductionUrbanization is the process of becoming a city or intensifying urban features. Since modernization, the meaning of urbanization has mainly become the transformation of a majority of the population living in rural areas into a majority living in urban areas. However, urbanization differs between developed and developing countries in terms of its causes and the magnitude of its negative consequences. Korea, as a developing country, has experienced so-called "overurbanization" and suffered a number of negative consequences, although it could achieve great economic development as a result. This article examines the differences between urbanization in the West and the rest of the world, the characteristics and process of urbanization in Korea, the problems arising from its extreme urbanization, and government policies dealing with population distribution.2. Difference between urbanization in developed and developing countries Urbanization in developed countries in the West differs between the periods before and after the industrial revolution. Before the revolution, pre-capitalist cities were the center of government power and commercial activity. They emphasized community living. However, along with the onset of the Industrial Revolution and capitalism, cities experienced a sudden increase in population. And this increase caused a socio-economic change which caused the importance of community life to diminish and relationships to become capitalist. The traditional relationship between people has transformed into an impersonal and instrumental social relationship. On the other hand, urbanization in developing countries differed from the urbanization process in the West. In the Third World, across...... middle of paper ......As a member of the Third World, Korea has experienced quite extreme urbanization. As it became more urbanized, it was able to experience massive economic development. But it also suffered from various urban problems such as traffic, pollution and housing shortages. The government's efforts to curb urban population growth and develop a more balanced society were a good attempt, but failed to revive rural areas and solve urban problems. Developing countries, which are still in their early stages, can learn a lesson from Korea's urbanization and make adequate plans to cope with intense urban expansion in the future. Future studies can compare the Korean government's plans with more effective population redistribution plans in other parts of the world and give suggestions to less developed states on appropriate plans suited to urbanization...