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BOOKS
Political Change in Korea
Edited by The Korea Herald and The Korean Political Science Association
Publisher: Jimoondang
Pages: 340
Price: 20,000 won
The Korea Herald has published “Political
Change in Korea,” the third book in the
“Insight into Korea” series. The volume has
35 essays analyzing contemporary Korean
politics. Written by top Korean political scientists,
the in-depth analyses were all published
in the paper between December
2007 and May 2008.
“Political Change in Korea” is intended
to help readers better understand the
tremendous changes that have reshaped
the Korean political landscape since June
1987. The civilian uprising that took place
21 years ago set in motion a democratization
process that has transformed Korea
from authoritarianism to a liberal democracy.
Korea’s transition to a vibrant democracy
has been hailed by many foreign analysts.
They regard Korea as a model, for it
has achieved the twin goals of democratic
development and rapid economic growth.
But many analysts also note that
Korea’s political development lags behind
its economic development. Some describe
Korea as a country with a First
World economy and Third World politics. A
Korean business tycoon once rated Korea
as second-class in economic prowess,
third-class in government efficiency, and
fourth-class in political performance.
“Most authors in this book discuss
Korean politics from a critical perspective,”
said Yu Kun-ha, managing editor of
The Korea Herald, who oversaw the book
project. “While acknowledging the
progress Korea has made in democratization,
at the same time, they point out the
long road ahead in attaining full-fledged
liberal democracy.” ■
Contemporary Korean Architecture
Author: Kim Sung-hong and Peter Cachola Schmal
Publisher: JOVIS
Page: 263
Price: 50,000 won
The first overseas exposition showcasing contemporary
Korean architecture was held last year in Frankfurt, Germany,
drawing a positive response from local visitors.
Published by the well-known German publishing house
JOVIS, this book features a total of 32 projects by 16 Korean
participating architects shown during the event.
Along with the photographs of buildings and city landscapes
captured by photographer Ahn Se-kwon, the book also
contains articles and columns on contemporary Korean architecture
written by experts and journalists in and out of the
country. ■
Panmunjom:
Facts about the Korean DMZ
Author: Wayne A. Kirkbride
Publisher: Hollym
Page: 80
Price: 8,000 won
Panmunjeom is a village on the border between
South and North Korea, where the
armistice that halted the Korean War
(1950-1953) was signed in 1953. For over
50 years, the site has served as a sad reminder
of the division of Korea. But recently,
with the economic and cultural exchanges
between the two Koreas increasing,
it has also become a symbol for the
peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Even though Panmunjeom is frequently
cited when important issues happen concerning
the border village, not many things
about the area are known to the public, especially
people living overseas. This handy
guide book will be helpful for future visitors
and historians to know what Korea was
like, when it was divided as a nation, and
that peaceful reunification might happen
anytime.
The author, who retired from the U.S.
Army as a Lieutenant Colonel, has written
books on Panmunjeom and North Korea
including “North Korea’s Undeclared War:
1953-” and “DMZ: A Story of the
Panmunjeom Axe Murder.” ■
64 KOREA SEPTEMBER 2008
SEPTEMBER 2008 KOREA 65