Showing results for "Korea" in Politics & Social Sciences

Long overshadowed by Japan and China, South Korea is a small country that happens to be one of the great national success stories of the postwar period. From a failed state with no democratic tradition, ruined and partitioned by war, and sapped by a half-century of colonial rule, South Korea transformed itself in just 50 years into an economic powerhouse and a democracy that serves as a model for other countries. With no natural resources and a tradition of authoritarian rule, Korea managed to accomplish a second Asian miracle.

Korea was one of the last countries in Asia to be visited by Westerners, and its borders have remained largely unchanged since it was unified in the seventh century. Though it is one of the world's oldest and most ethnically homogeneous states, Korea was not born in a vacuum. Geographically isolated, the country was heavily influenced by powerful China and was often used as a bridge to the mainland by Japan. Calling themselves as "a shrimp among whales", Koreans borrowed elements of government, culture, and religion, all the while fiercely fighting to maintain independence.

In this book, former North Korea lead foreign service officer at the US embassy in Seoul, Patrick McEachern, unpacks the contentious and tangled relationship between the Koreas in an approachable question-and-answer format. Why have the two Koreas developed politically and economically in such radically different ways? What are the origins of a divided Korean Peninsula? Who rules the two Koreas? How have three generations of the authoritarian Kim dictatorship shaped North Korea?

Apart from the headline-making politics, not much is known in the West about the Korean people and their ancient culture. Yet those who visit Korea, whether North or South, find a land of great interest. The Koreans, when not constrained by politics or other considerations, are friendly and sociable, and the peninsula has areas of outstanding natural beauty. The South’s cities, if not always beautiful, are vibrant and alive. The North, while very different, is complex and fascinating.

Korea and the World interviews academics, professionals and intellectuals living and working in South Korea on current political, economic and societal issues.

[Hosted by Peris Kagiri] Welcome to Korea Unfiltered. Join us as we explore the untold, unfiltered stories of expats living in Korea as well as visiting tourists. Whether you are a hallyu wave fan, a traveler, or simply just curious about life in this captivating country 'Korea unfiltered' is the perfect channel and podcast to tap into Korean life. Be inspired, informed, and entertained as we drop weekly podcasts! Make sure to follow to stay updated. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the least understood countries in the world, North Korea has long been known for its repressive regime. Yet it is far from being an impenetrable black box. Media flows covertly into the country, and fault lines are appearing in the government's sealed informational borders. Drawing on deeply personal interviews with North Korean defectors from all walks of life, ranging from propaganda artists to diplomats, Jieun Baek tells the story of North Korea's information underground.

The official podcast channel for the Nam Center for Korean Studies at the University of Michigan.

North Korea remains the world's most opaque and enigmatic state, a hermit kingdom forged in the crucible of Japanese colonialism, the Korean War, and the Cold War. This show, hosted by Lucas and Luna, peels back the layers of secrecy to explore the full sweep of North Korean history from the ancient kingdom of Gojoseon to the Kim dynasty's nuclear brinkmanship. We delve into the rise of the Kim Il-sung personality cult, the brutal purges of the 1950s and 1960s, the devastating Arduous March famine of the 1990s, and the country's controversial Juche ideology. We examine the dynastic succession ...

A haunting account of teaching English to the sons of North Korea's ruling class during the last six months of Kim Jong-il's reign Every day, three times a day, the students march in two straight lines, singing praises to Kim Jong-il and North Korea: Without you, there is no motherland. Without...

History didn't end. Democracy didn't triumph. America’s leading role in the world is no longer assured. Instead, authoritarian rule is on the rise, and the global order established after 1945 is under attack. This is the phenomenon Katie Stallard tackles in Dancing on Bones as she examines how the leaders of China, Russia, and North Korea manipulate the past to serve the present and secure the future of authoritarian rule. 

How did a nation devastated by the Korean War transform into a global economic and cultural powerhouse? Lucas and Luna trace South Korea's extraordinary arc from the fall of the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910) through Japanese colonial rule, the division at the 38th parallel, the Korean War (1950–1953), and the authoritarian development era under Park Chung-hee. They explore the chaebol conglomerates (Samsung, Hyundai), the democratization movement of 1987, and the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Cultural topics include the Hallyu wave (K-pop, K-drama, cinema), the debate over comfort women, the ...

From the mythic founding of Gojoseon to the nuclear standoff on the 38th parallel, the Korean Peninsula has been a crucible of dynastic ambition, foreign invasion, and fierce cultural identity. Lucas and Luna guide listeners through four thousand years of Korean history: the Three Kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla locked in centuries of warfare and cultural exchange with Tang China; the unifying Goryeo dynasty that gave the West its name for Korea; the Confucian revolution of Joseon, which produced the Hangul alphabet, the turtle ships of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, and a rigid social order that...

Understanding Korea, One Story at a Time explores Korean culture, history, society, food, books, politics, and everyday life through stories rich with context and heart. Hosted by writer and former media studies professor Jiwon Yoon, Ph.D., and developed with Jihyun Lee (Yao), the podcast brings research, warmth, and storytelling to the Korean stories behind the headlines. New listeners may want to start with the most recent episodes; Episodes 1–34 were early AI-narrated audio companions based on Jiwon’s own essays and research. yoonjiwon.substack.com

Bloomsbury presents… Emperor of the Seas: Kublai Khan and the Making of China by Jack Weatherford, read by Mark Elstob Control the sea, and you control everything...a gripping tale of naval warfare, dynastic rivalry, and technical innovation, from the author of the classic work Genghis Khan...

Voices From the Hidden Kingdom is a podcast about the North Korean people, focusing on their stories, experiences, knowledge, and hopes for the future of the peninsula. NKFI is a registered faith-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization providing advocacy, support, and access to resources to North Korean refugees around the world. It is our honor to be entrusted with this content by our North Korean friends in order to inform the public, and show the humanity behind the voices.

Half-Korean, half-Japanese, Masaji Ishikawa has spent his whole life feeling like a man without a country. This feeling only deepened when his family moved from Japan to North Korea when Ishikawa was just thirteen years old, and unwittingly became members of the lowest social caste. His father, himself a Korean national, was lured to the new Communist country by promises of abundant work, education for his children, and a higher station in society. But the reality of their new life was far from utopian.

Join us on an intriguing journey through Japan and Korea, where we delve into the rich tapestry of their governments, vibrant cultures, and unique agricultural practices. This immersive exploration offers a closer look at the people, their customs, and the spiritual beliefs that shape their lives. Whether you’re curious about the historical significance or the everyday experiences of these nations, this volume promises to enlighten and inspire. (Summary by Betty B)

For almost four decades, the United States has tried to stop North Korea's attempts to build nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them. Joel S. Wit, a former State Department official, takes listeners to the front lines of nuclear negotiations and to fierce policy debates and secret diplomatic gambits, recounting how perilously close the United States and North Korea have come, on various occasions, to nuclear confrontation.

Hi! I'm Joy! 👋 My journey started with a love for K-pop, which led me all the way to Korea to study and explore! 🇰🇷✨ Now, I'm living the dream and sharing every bit of it with you. I'll be your guide to everything K-life. From the fun surprises of everyday life and I'm showing you the real Korea through my eyes! Let's explore Korea together with lots of curiosity and good vibes! 💛 📍Youtube https://youtube.com/@JoyLifeinKorea