New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2023. xix, 268 pp. (Maps, B&W photos, coloured photos.) US$30.00, cloth. ISBN 9780300259810.
Victor D. Cha and Ramon Pacheco Pardo wrote Korea: A New History of South and North in an effort to provide readers with a “deeper knowledge about where North and South Korea currently are and why they are there today” (xvii). Specifically, this historical survey seeks to explain how the South became a globalized and industrialized nation with democratic institutions, while the North evolved into an isolated and impoverished state under a dictatorial pseudo-communistic regime.
This volume, as the title suggests, is a general history of the two Koreas, with an emphasis on the post-Korean War era. The content addresses the political, economic, social, and diplomatic evolution of both states, through to the present (2023). There are seven chapters that address chronological periods. There is one chapter each on Korean history up to 1945, the occupation period and the Korean War, 1953 to 1980, the 1980s, 1990 to 2010, and 2010 to 2023. There is also a chapter devoted to the possibility, methods, and hindrances of the unification of North and South.
It is important to understand the purpose of this book. It is not driven by theory, nor is it written with an agenda. The narrative does not provide significant depth into individuals or events; this book is an introduction to the two states. It seems to attempt to fill a void that Pardo confronted when he first moved to Korea as a student: he could not find a book that informed him about South Korea, its culture, its history, or its political status. Thus, this volume covers these topics by offering an introduction to both North and South.
The narrative is balanced and fair-minded, considering the politicization of history in the Koreas. The Japanese colonial period is treated evenly, with a discussion of both the industrial and educational advancements that took place, but the authors also note the exploitation that resulted from these same systems. They also address the oppression of the Korean nationalist movements, which is central to Korean nationalism. The writing is even-handed in its treatment of the South Korean state versus the North Korean state. The economic and political strengths, as well as the weaknesses of each state are laid bare. I appreciated that South Korea’s economic success was not sugar coated: the authors address the struggles for democracy and the human cost of modernization.
Readers will likely find the discussions of the North Korean and South Korean culture and society especially useful, which the authors discuss in the two chapters that cover the 1990 to 2023 period. The narrative highlights just how far the South has moved into the postmodern world, while the North has isolated itself and is a loner on the global scene. The text is balanced between the South and the North. The authors exhibit no favouritism of the South in terms of coverage or political inclinations. There is plenty of useful information on North Korean economics (e.g., a discussion of juche), social structure (e.g., a discussion of the social system), foreign relations (e.g., coverage of international aid), and military affairs (e.g., a review of its nuclear program). The chapter on the unification of the two Koreas is particularly insightful, as it delves into how it might happen, why some in the South resist unification, and the problems that hinder such a development.
I found the writing style to be engaging and readable. Most chapters and subsections begin with an anecdote that ties the content to one author’s personal experiences. Victor D. Cha worked for many years on the White House National Security Council, while Ramon Pacheco Pardo, currently at King’s College London, has extensive experience in South Korea. There are humorous anecdotes, such as Cha holding back a Korean diplomat who wanted to fight a Japanese diplomat because he felt the other had insulted him. It is worth noting that the book is well researched, and includes footnotes, making it a useful book for the classroom. The bibliography includes the best books available in Korean history and politics.
There are a couple of quibbles to be had with the book. The personal histories of Kim Il-sung and Syngman Rhee (who is listed in the index under Syngman, not Rhee) were too thin; considering their impact on their respective nations, additional detail on their background is warranted. And the chapter on 2010 to 2023, titled, “An Open South, A Closed North,” rattles off movements and issues in South Korea in rapid succession. For example, there is a paragraph on the LGBTQ+ community, a paragraph on the MeToo Movement, a paragraph on the Sewol ferry disaster, and so forth. The narrative in this part felt forced, rather than natural.
In conclusion, anyone looking for a modern history of North and South Korea will find this the best available general history. The book does not dwell on the history of Korea before 1945. The focus is on postwar Korea, so the book will be most useful in a political science course.
Brandon Palmer
Coastal Carolina University, Conway