This Article was first posted on the Koreanet Honorary Reporter website on 2024-09-22
September 2024 marks my 10 years of learning about Korean history and culture. My love for Korea began further back through kdrama and K-pop. My interests as a historian and my Journey into learning about Korea began as an undergraduate student who, in 2014, took a compulsory semester course on Asian Tigers and witnessed the growth of Korea from 1945, especially since the Cold War period, to a postgraduate student who now takes time to research Korea. Throughout my journey as a lover of Korean history who also researches Korea, one book has been meaningful to me, which is what I will be recommending especially for those who are interested in learning Korean History in contemporary times.
Front and back image of the book, image by HR Kadishi oliseh This is a book on Korean history and culture, it is titled “Contemporary history of South Korea-60 years). This book is by Seo Joong -Seok and is translated by Sohn Jung In. It was published in 2017 and it was originally published as Hangukhyeondaesa 60nyeon. It has 6 chapters and 351 pages. The author of the book Seo Joong -Seok is a Professor who teaches at the Department of History, Sungkyunkwan University. He had his M.A and Ph.D degree from the Department of Korean History , Seoul National University. He has served as the Director of the Institute for Korean Historical Studies among others. He is a big inspiration to me.
Image of the Front cover of the book, image by HR Kadishi olisehThis book is meaningful to me because it has helped me understand Korea from contemporary times, especially as it discusses the nation’s modern history . The book looks at how Korea has gone through a difficult process to become the country it is today. It looked at the liberation of Korea and the War , the damages and legacy of the war . The book also discusses different government regimes and the expansion of democracy and transfer of power to civil government. It discusses the concept of Reunification movement and social movement. The book went further to discuss some commissions and treaties, and different political and democratic developments in Korea to mention a few . There were several areas and themed in this book but One aspect that caught my interest in it is the Economic development of Korea where it talked about how the economic independence and the conquest of poverty had been a public aspiration since the late 1950’s and now the foundation of the economy was laid in 1954 and during 1956 and 1957 the problem of inflation was resolved . In 1960s the economic circumstance in Korea improved, education , economic activities to mention a few was engaged in, als the population increased from 20,160,000 in 1949 to 38,120,000 in 1980. The book also recognised the achievements and presence of economic development in Korea since 2000, namely the when the Korean soccer team made it to the semifinals in the World Cup soccer games, the 2002 presidential election, the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Korea in 2005. 
Image of the back cover of the book, image by HR Kadishi oliseh Korea has a history that everyone should read about. It is a history of resilience, a history of preserving one’s culture and beliefs, a history of chasing growth , a history of accepting change while preserving what makes up what being a Korean is about. It is a history that shows the struggles, determination and greatness. The book looked into the democratic, political and economic history of Kore from 1945-2006.
