S. Koreans are unambiguously 'better off' than their counterparts in the North. That's the closest comparable we have. If the US were to have 'stayed' in S. V

S. Koreans are unambiguously 'better off' than their counterparts in the North. That's the closest comparable we have. If the US were to have 'stayed' in S. Vietnamese, much like they did in S. Korea, that S. Vietnam would look 'somewhat' like S. Korea, but not nearly as prosperous given their agrarian history etc.. But definitely better off.