|
|
|
|
| |
|
Description
A veteran British journalist examines the history, culture, and economy of North and (principally) South Korea, where he lives for half of each year. Realizing that most readers know Korea only because of the war (1950-53) or because of the communist North's nuclear potential and noisy aggressiveness, Breen limns with patience and perspicuity an engaging portrait of this least-known of the major Asian economic powers. He describes, for example, the ``fierce sense of identity'' among Koreans and concludes that in Korean society ``you are your DNA. He examines Korean religions and educational systems, observing that the peninsula's undergraduate programs are inferior because students experience ``no pressure to perform as undergraduates. In a rapid summary of Korean history, Breen notes that the Koreans ``have remained a distinct people'' for centuries, despite domination by China, Japan, and others. He has a powerful command of anecdote and detail, illustrated for example in his description of community-wide rock fights in the 19th century to settle public disputes and in the horrible image of the 100,000 pickled Korean noses the 16th-century Japanese warriors took to their country to certify their body counts. Breen credits the late South Korean president Park Chung-hee for providing the leadership that propelled his nation into the front ranks of economic powers, but he also presents a devastating analysis of the pervasive bribery and corruption in the Korean business, education, medical, and legal systems. In a clever though questionable analogy, Breen attempts to infer broad cultural truths from the ``lawless, selfish and rude'' behavior of South Korean drivers, asserting that ``traffic behaviour illustrates how society regulates itself. In general, a splendid work of explication and analysis by one who admits to being both charmed and angered by his subjects. |
| |
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.
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Books Published by Seoul Selection 
