|
|
|
|
Contents
South Korea's amazing rise from the ashes: the inside story of an economic, political, and cultural phenomenon
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 fifty 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.
Daniel Tudor is a journalist who has lived in and written about Korea for almost a decade. In Korea: The Impossible Country, Tudor examines Korea's cultural foundations; the Korean character; the public sphere in politics, business, and the workplace as well as the family, dating, and marriage. In doing so, he touches on topics as diverse as shamanism, clan-ism, the dilemma posed by North Korea, the myths about doing business in Korea, the Koreans' renowned hard-partying ethos, and why the infatuation with learning English is now causing huge social problems.
South Korea has undergone two miracles at once: economic development and complete democratization. The question now is, will it become as some see Japan, a rich yet aging society, devoid of energy and momentum? Or will the dynamism of Korean society and its willingness to change—as well as the opportunity it has now to welcome outsiders into its fold—enable it to experience a third miracle that will propel it into the ranks of the world's leading nations in terms of human culture, democracy, and wealth?
More than just one journalist's account, Korea: The Impossible Country also draws on interviews with many of the people who made South Korea what it is today. These include:
- Choi Min-sik, the star of "Old Boy"
- Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul
- Soyeon Yi, Korea's first astronaut Hong Myung-bo, legendary captain of Korea's 2002 FIFA World Cup team
- Shin Joong-hyun, the 'Godfather of Korean Rock'
- Ko Un, poet
- Hong Seok-cheon, restaurateur, and the first Korean celebrity to 'come out'
And many more, including a former advisor to President Park Chung-hee; a Shaman priestess ('mudang'); the boss of Korea's largest matchmaking agency; a 'room salon' hostess; an architect; as well as chefs, musicians, academics, entrepreneurs, homemakers, and chaebol conglomerate employees. |
|
Airmail I (Smaller Parcel Post) Note: Not trackable. Since this is a form of general mail, deliveries do not receive a tracking number. While delivery costs are relatively inexpensive and customs passage is easier, the security of the delivery is somewhat lower. Packaging methods are applied that allow for opening according to regulations. Please be aware that Seoul Selection cannot be held responsible for items ordered that are lost during delivery. Only applies to packages weighing less than 2 kg. For boxes, no one side can exceed 60 cm in length, and total dimensions of length, width and height together cannot exceed 90 cm.
Airmail II (Parcel Post) Note: Trackable. However, inquiries about delivery status are handled manually rather than by Internet, and items are thus more difficult to track in comparison with courier services. Applies to packages more than 2 kg.
* Airmail I, Airmail II 7 ~ 20 business days for international delivery after order confirmation.
EMS (Express Mail Service) Note: Trackable and fast. This is the courier service of the Korean postal service. An international postal service that brings letters, documents and parcels to their destinations abroad using the fastest and safest means of transportation through a special agreement between the Ministry of Information and Communication and the postal services of other countries. Promptness: 143 countries, including Japan and China, can be reached in 2-4 days. Delivery Inquiries by Internet: EMS deliveries sent to major countries such as Japan, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong can be tracked and confirmed through a global computer network; delivery status is available upon inquiry. In case a computer inquiry is not possible, a quick inquiry by fax or post is available for reference upon the user's request.
EMS Premium Note: Trackable and fast. With EMS Premium, the Korean postal service handles TNT Express delivery services, providing a similar delivery period to other express services like DHL, FedEx and UPS, with slightly more affordable rates according to region. 1 ~ 3 business days for international delivery after order confirmation.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|