From poor agricultural countries, they had become highly industrialized nations, producing quality high-tech goods for markets worldwide. They were set to grow and grow. The free-marketeers might be reminded that countries do not grow and develop by accident. The environment must be conducive to growth. For this, the government must play a role.
All governments are corrupt to one degree or another.
But what is certain is that if a country does well, the government cannot be totally corrupt and incompetent. The governments of East Asia are far from perfect, but no one can say they did not bring prosperity as well as real, tangible and personally felt benefits to their people. Such was the progress and potential that investors came in droves to get a share of that prosperity. And they all profited hugely from their participation. These countries and their peoples are suffering.