Tell You the Real Korea

Author: Zhan Xiaohong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-02-01
Features: Some people fawn over Korea, while others curse it. But what is the real Korea like? Chinese Academy of Social Sciences researcher Zhan Xiaohong has written a diary based on his observations, experiences, and thoughts, revealing the authentic Korea through his personal journey. This book is the first diary-style work in China written by an economist after long-term field research in Korea. The author spent over a year visiting and teaching in Korea, gaining deep insights, reflections, and research into Korean society, economy, and culture. He has regularly contributed articles on Korean affairs to domestic well-known media outlets such as Liaowang Dongfang Zhoukan, Nanfang Chuangkong, and Jingji Zhongguo Chazuo. The book covers major events in Korea, including the impeachment of the president, parliamentary elections, the hostage killing incident, and the controversy over the relocation of the capital. It records the development and twists in China-Korea relations, capturing both the joy of rapid economic growth between the two countries and the pride of the "Han Stream" sweeping across the Korean Peninsula. It also reflects the concerns over strained relations due to agricultural trade and historical disputes like the Goguryeo issue. The book aims to objectively introduce a real Korea to the domestic intellectual public: from multi-party politics and macroeconomics to Korean diplomacy surrounded by major powers, and from the culture extremely similar to China to the daily lives of ordinary Koreans, including their marriages, families, food, housing, living expenses, academic pressures, and how Koreans view China.