The Politics of South Korea: A Comprehensive Introduction

“A timely and significant contribution.... While the book is written as an introduction to South Korean politics, it is equally useful for experts, scholars, policy makers, and a broader audience seeking to understand how South Korea arrived at its current crossroads.” ―Hannah June Kim, Pacific Affairs“Useful comparatively and in terms of Korean-specific historical issues, Choi’s volume skillfully captures the leader-oriented, rather than policy-focused, party politics.” ―Choice“Offers great value to anyone keen to develop a systematic understanding of South Korea's domestic politics and foreign relations.” ―Yong Wook Lee, Korea University“A comprehensive yet readable account of Korea’s meteoric rise…. Ji Young Choi provides a balanced and nuanced portrayal that is thoughtful, thorough, and engrossing.” ―Mitchell Lerner, Ohio State University"Superbly written and covering all of the major issues, this is an excellent introduction to South Korea's politics, economy, and international relations." ―Yong-Chool Ha, University of Washington"Engaging, timely, and insightful: this accessible book presents the most up-to-date and detailed illustration of South Korea's politics, economy, society, culture, and foreign relations.” ―Soyoung Kwon, George Mason University Korea Once an impoverished, autocratic country, in just a few decades South Korea has transformed itself into a vibrant democracy with a highly developed economy. Using a comparative perspective to look at the factors behind South Korea's dynamism, Ji Young Choi provides a comprehensive, balanced, and accessible introduction to the country's politics, economy, and international relations. He also considers the political and economic history of North Korea in the context of inter-Korean relations.CONTENTS: Why Study South Korea?The Impact of History.The Long Road from Dictatorship to Democracy.The Challenges of Democratic Transition and Consolidation.Economic Development and Financial Crisis.The Culture Industry and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.The Evolving Dynamics of Foreign Relations.Grappling with North Korea.South Korea at a Crossroads. Read more