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The Korean Presidents: Leadership for Nationbuilding
Dr. Choong Nam Kim has written an important and penetrating study of the Korean presidents from Syngman Rhee to Roh Moo Hyun in the context of their eras.
His analysis of their influence and leadership styles is required reading in the continuing reassessment of their respective roles in the remarkable changes and development of politics and economics in the Republic of Korea. This will no doubt be a controversial study in some circles, for it provides an alternative approach to some contemporary scholarship, but it will contribute both to the rise of scholarly concern and popular interest in understanding the varied roles of Korean presidents in critical periods in modern Korean history.
This volume is a highly relevant and singular contribution to the literature on the peregrinations of the Republic since its founding.
David I. Steinberg Director, Asian Studies Program School of Foreign Service Georgetown University
His analysis of their influence and leadership styles is required reading in the continuing reassessment of their respective roles in the remarkable changes and development of politics and economics in the Republic of Korea. This will no doubt be a controversial study in some circles, for it provides an alternative approach to some contemporary scholarship, but it will contribute both to the rise of scholarly concern and popular interest in understanding the varied roles of Korean presidents in critical periods in modern Korean history.
This volume is a highly relevant and singular contribution to the literature on the peregrinations of the Republic since its founding.
David I. Steinberg Director, Asian Studies Program School of Foreign Service Georgetown University
438 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 30, 2013
This comprehensive study on the South Korean presidency might escape your radar easily but it should be given more attention. What this is is a wonderfully detailed and easy to follow timeline of each President, to include their biographical background, political career, and post-office activities. Dr. Kim has done the Korean academic community a favor by employing a skilled editor to elegantly translate this work into fluidly understandable English - a task likely not usually taken for such specified pieces of political history. In this case, the narrative is so moving that one almost forgets that it's nonfiction.
The author writes from a well-educated and truly insider Korean perspective. Dr. Kim served three South Korean presidents, and as such, graciously points out common comparisons held by various generations of Koreans. Each protagonist's interweaving story is truly appreciated for its complexity and depth. The sheer amount of Korea's political and social history revolving around the presidency is astounding. The reader gains an invaluable appreciation for the roles that each president played in their country's development.
The only perceivable faults are the curious omissions of second and fourth presidents Yun Bo-seon and Choi Kyu-hah, respectively. The author rationalizes that those two presidents, due to their painfully short terms and/or ineffectiveness, did not leave behind appreciatable legacies and thus, not generally regarded as having contributed to nation building. Also, the cover isn't much to look at but do not allow that to that fool you into thinking that the book isn't a verifiable gem in its own right. Lastly, the book is in need of an recent update. As it is a 2007 publication, controversial president Lee Myung-bak is not mentioned as is also the unfortunate passings of former presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun.
Overall, if you are interested in Korean democracy, its history, and its people, you've found your book. Highly recommended.
The author writes from a well-educated and truly insider Korean perspective. Dr. Kim served three South Korean presidents, and as such, graciously points out common comparisons held by various generations of Koreans. Each protagonist's interweaving story is truly appreciated for its complexity and depth. The sheer amount of Korea's political and social history revolving around the presidency is astounding. The reader gains an invaluable appreciation for the roles that each president played in their country's development.
The only perceivable faults are the curious omissions of second and fourth presidents Yun Bo-seon and Choi Kyu-hah, respectively. The author rationalizes that those two presidents, due to their painfully short terms and/or ineffectiveness, did not leave behind appreciatable legacies and thus, not generally regarded as having contributed to nation building. Also, the cover isn't much to look at but do not allow that to that fool you into thinking that the book isn't a verifiable gem in its own right. Lastly, the book is in need of an recent update. As it is a 2007 publication, controversial president Lee Myung-bak is not mentioned as is also the unfortunate passings of former presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun.
Overall, if you are interested in Korean democracy, its history, and its people, you've found your book. Highly recommended.
June 3, 2015
I was really impressed with the earlier sections of this book, and really disappointed by the latter sections, especially those on Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews