The History of Korea

A fully updated analysis of Korea’s modern political and economic transformation, centered on democratization, crisis, and globalization. This comprehensive overview traces the development of two contradistinctive nations—North and South Korea—with communism in the north and democracy and industrialization in the south transforming the geopolitical and geo-economic condition of each area. Author Kim explores specific doctrines that revolutionized Korea: Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism in the mid-7th and the late 14th centuries; and communism and American functionalism in the 20th century. The third edition includes an updated timeline, new biographical sketches of notable people, and an additional chapter covering the events of 2014 through the present day. New and expanded coverage analyzes the oscillation between liberal rightist and liberal leftist administrations, including the political turbulence surrounding the presidential impeachments of two liberal rightist leaders. These developments are placed in historical context alongside earlier foundations of the modern state, from the US–Republic of Korea Mutual Defense Treaty under Syngman Rhee to Park Chung Hee’s state-led industrialization informed by American functionalist and free-market ideas. Maintaining a clear chronological structure, the book connects early history, cultural identity, and tradition to the forces of modernization, democratization, and globalization. This new edition offers students and general readers a clearer framework for understanding Korea’s contemporary political conflicts and its place in global history.