Books in the Routledge Advances in Korean Studies series

The first comprehensive review of the past and present of a leading sector, the volume offers a new interpretation of society and market in South Korea.

Law in Korea has historically been viewed as merely a tool of authoritarian rule, but since the transition to democracy in 1987 it has served a more important and visible role; as a force for social change.

Analyzes the importance of a new union movement in Korea by focusing on the promotion of social reforms by, and the intensification of interunion solidarity between the white-collar movement factions. This book examines three sectors of the white-collar movement - financial, hospital, and research unions.

The growing importance of the Korean economy in the global arena and the spread of the so-called `Korean wave¿ in Asia mean there is an increasing desire to understand contemporary Korean Society. To this end, this book provides a critical and progressive analysis of the diverse issues that impact on and shape contemporary Korean society at both local and national levels.The chapters in this volume provide a critical perspective on Korean society, and draw upon interdisciplinary research from across the social sciences.

Includes debates regarding the relationship between organized labour and neoliberal globalization through a casestudy of the Korean labour movement.

Focuses on South Korea's transformation during the early years of the new millennium. This book discusses the key features of various transformations within the country.

A unique explanation of the development of Korean social policy using the concepts of 'policy idea', 'policy network' and 'policy-linkages' to examine the causes, patterns and consequences of state interventions in the economy and social affairs.

Examines the experiences of the globalizing Korean automobile industry, with particular focus on the Hyundai Motor Company, one of the prominent Korean multinational corporation. This book provides an overview of the nature of the global automobile industry, before considering the globalization processes that the Korean industry has undertaken.

Examines how the dynamics of inter-party and intra-party coalition-building have affected governability in post-authoritarian South Korea.

The condensed social change and complex social order governing South Koreans' life cannot be satisfactorily delineated by relying on West-derived social theories or culturalist arguments. This book provides an account of South Korean society and its contemporary transformation.

Introduces readers to the impact of demographic changes in Korea, particularly the impact of these on work, retirement and pensions; and as importantly, provides an explanation for the reforms of public policy in these domains.

Identifies the factors that shaped relations between the state and big business in Korea. This book highlights the political power of business, which is underplayed in discussions of the development of Korea. It also sheds light on the constraints on policymakers during modernisation, and how power is shared among a number of powerful parties.

Since the late 1970s, a number of regional developments have impacted upon South Korea's political and economic standing in Asia. This book seeks to analyze to what extent and how South Korea may contribute to, and take advantage of, the new regional configuration in East Asia. It is intended for researchers, academics and students.

Presents a radical, Marxist critique of state development theory. This book explains the exploitative functions of the state, looking at the emergence of the particular form of capitalist state in the context of the formation and reproduction of capital relations in Korea.

This comprehensive and authoritative account of the development of the Korean economy combines a historical approach with a substantial section on the new economy.

Analyzes the impact of economic and cultural globalization on efforts to promote inward foreign direct investment (IFDI) in South Korea.

Korea's urban and regional development experiences are widely regarded as a success story. This book is a detailed examination of the `Korean model¿ evaluating its context and implications for international development cooperation.

As tensions remain on the Korean peninsula, this book looks back on the decade of improved inter-Korean relations and engagement between 1998 and 2008, now known as the `Sunshine Policy¿ era. Moving beyond traditional economic and political perspectives, it explores how this decade of intensified cooperation both affected and reshaped existing physical, social and mental boundaries between the two Koreas, and how this `de-bordering¿ and `re-bordering¿ has changed the respective attitudes towards the other.

This book analyses how social movements have evolved and how new social movements have developed since the transition from authoritianism to capitalist democratic government in South Korea. Including an impressive array of case studies ranging from the women's movement, to environmental NGOs, and from cultural production to law, the contributors to this book enrich our understanding of the democratization process in Korea as the social movement sector remains an important player in Korean politics today, Will appeal to students and scholars of Korean studies, Asian politics, political history and social movements.

The distinguishing feature for many workers in South Korea is contractual ¿ and often involuntary ¿ retirement at a young age (mid-50s for most workers) followed by precarious and low-paying self-employment or contract work.This book examines how this retirement arrangement arose, and the policy reforms that have been both undertaken and proposed to allow workers to remain employed longer. Using a multi-disciplinary and comparative approach, the authors study contractual mandatory retirement trends and policies in South Korea, and in doing so illuminate the political, social, legal, economic and labour market implications of this widespread practice.

Looks at the way in which the phenomenon of globalization has impacted on Korean society in terms of national identity, corporate change, labour markets, democracy, tradition and social policy, and the implications for Korea's social cohesion. This book is of interest to students of Korean and East Asian studies, development studies and politics.

Providing an approach to the study of modern Korea, this collection traces the social, economic, political, and cultural dimensions of Korea's transformation since the late nineteenth century. It discusses the interrelated elements of Korea's modernization within agriculture, business and the economy, the ideology and culture, and the family.

A selection of many of the world experts on the North Korean economy covering such important issues as possible unification with South Korea, the significance of China's economic success and the roles of Europe and the United States.