The Park Chung Hee era : the transformation of South Korea /

This significant work on the Park Chung Hee era is composed of 21 chapters by as many Korean specialists. The first three chapters focus on key events surrounding the May 1961 coup d'etat. The next five chapters discuss the concentration and centers of political power under President Park. Five chapters are then devoted to the role of private and state conglomerates in the rapid economic growth experienced by South Korea during the Park era. The following four chapters provide insight into the centrality of national security in the foreign policy of the Park regime. The final four chapters examine the similarities and differences in the modernization process of South Korea and selected countries in Asia and Latin America. Overall the work provides an enhanced understanding of the political and economic goals of Park Chung Hee (i.e., rich country and strong military) and the forceful means he was willing to use to achieve these goals. The scope and insightfulness of this collection of essays on this critical period in South Korean history make it a must for undergraduate and graduate library collections on Korea. It is strongly recommended for private collections on Korea as well. Summing Up: Essential. General readers, undergraduate students, graduate students, and research faculty. J. M. Peek Glenville State College