Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book shows that North and South Korea held more meetings and exchanged more communication during 1989 than ever before. It describes the sudden removal of political restrictions greatly affected South Korea’s society and economy. The students, who had been vociferous even under the draconian regime of Chun Doo Hwan, demanded vast reforms. The workers, whose rights and interests had been restricted, if not suppressed, by the previous regimes, demanded their fair share. The book attempts to assess all the developments in the context of Korea’s history, philosophy, and culture. The process of change in South Korea between 1988 and 1990 may have appeared to some observers as not only tumultuous but chaotic. The book explores and analyzes the diverse cultural movements in Korea.