Introduction to Korean History and Culture

The purpose of this book is to present the history and culture of Korea to meet the needs of the general reader. While providing essential historical and cultural background of the Korean people, emphasis is given to the process of transformation of the ancient Korean society into an aristocratic/feudalistic state first, and then into a modern nation. Unlike other Korean history books, this includes various aspects of radical changes that took place under the Communist rule after 1945 in the northern half of Korea. As for the southern half, the aspects of struggle for democracy, economic and cultural development, and social modernization have been given particular attention. --