Jongwoo Han Livres

Focusing on Korea's transformative period from the early 1960s to the late 1980s, the book explores the intricate relationship between rapid economic growth and democratization. It examines state-societal relations through the lens of urban design and architectural developments in the capital, tracing the evolution of Hanyang to Kyeongseong and finally Seoul. The study delves into the cultural roots of state power and the Neo-Confucian influences that shaped democratic movements, offering a unique insight into Korea's political and social dynamics.

The book explores the intricate history of U.S.-Korea relations, highlighting how America's early military actions sparked the ongoing "Korean Question." It argues for the necessity of the United States to honor its original peaceful treaty commitments by normalizing relations with Pyeongyang. This approach aims to bring resolution to the long-standing issues surrounding Korea, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic engagement in achieving closure.

Focusing on the evolution of elections and democratic movements, the book highlights a significant shift in political discourse over the past decade. It explores the influence of networked information technologies on politics and how previously disengaged youth have united to become an influential voting bloc and constituency.

This book provides an unprecedented perspective on Korea's simultaneous experience of rapid, economic development and substantive democratization from the early 1960s to the late 1980s. By analyzing the state-societal relations reflected in the design, architectural monumentality, and other spatial arrangements of the capital city over three central periods of Korean political history (Hanyang, Kyeongseong, Seoul), this study attempts to find the cultural origins of the power of the state and the Neo-Confucian origin of democratic forces.

This book examines the changes in elections, politics, and democratic movements over the past decade, marking a paradigm shift in political discourse. Han reveals the impacts of networked information technologies, and discusses how previously apolitical youth have transformed into a cohesive voting bloc and formidable constituency.