Inside Korea: Discovering the People and Culture

Preface | Notes | Korea at a Glance01 GeographyThis chapter looks at Korea's location, climate, topography, plants and animals administrative districts, population, and cities, which greatly affected the country and Koreans' life for so long.Introduction | 1. Location & Territory | 2. Climate & Topography | 3. Plants & Animals | 4. Population5. Settlements | Conclusion02 HistoryThis chapter briefly describes the history of Korea from the early Paleolithic Age to the establishment of current government.Introduction | 1. The Dawn of Korean History | 2. The Three Kingdoms, Unified Silla, and Balhae3. Goryeo: Land of Empire | 4. Joseon, the Confucian State | 5. Modernization: Exertion & Frustration6. Japanese Colonial Rule & the Independence Movement | 7. Establishment & Development of the Republicof Korea03 PoliticsThis chapter introduces Korea's political system and diplomatic relations with neighboring countries.1. Constitution | 2. The Presidential System | 3. National Assembly | 4. Diplomacy5. Symbols of Korea (Republic of Korea, Aegukga, Taegeukgi, Mugunghwa)[Special Feature] Understanding of North-South RelationsThis chapter examines the background behind the national division, the Korean War, and North-South relations after the war to help international community gain a greater understanding of the two Koreas.04 EconomyIn this chapter, the history of Korea's economic growth and the strategies that make it happen are briefly reviewed. In addition, the causes of the current economic problems are examined in detail.Introduction | 1. Economic Strategies and Achievements after the War2. Heavy Industry Strategy, the Depression of 1980 and Beyond3. Economic Democracy and Banking Liberalization after 19864. The Financial Crisis of 1997 and Solution | 5. The Korean Economy after the Asian Financial Crisis05 SocietyIn this chapter, the dynamic transformation of Korean society and its people are examined.Introduction | 1. Compressed Modernization: