Korean Studies Vol 31 (2007)

Articles

* Koo, Hagen, 1941- The Changing Faces of Inequality in South Korea in the Age of Globalization

Subject Headings:
o Equality — Korea (South)
o Consumption (Economics) — Social aspects — Korea (South)
o Education — Social aspects — Korea (South)
o Social classes — Korea (South)
o Globalization — Social aspects — Korea (South)

Abstract:
The social and cultural landscape of inequality in South Korea has changed significantly in the recent period. This article investigates the emerging pattern of social inequality in South Korea since the financial crisis in 1997–1998, focusing on changes in three major areas of social life: work, consumption, and education. The general trend of change has been increasing job insecurity for white-collar workers, the rise of consumption as a dominant basis of class distinction, and the intensification and globalization of educational pursuits. The study explores how these changes are connected to the glob – alization process and how South Korea’s middle class is being transformed in this process.

* McBride, Richard D. Silla Buddhism and the Hwarang segi Manuscripts

Subject Headings:
o Hwarangdo.
o Buddhism and state — Silla (Kingdom)
o Silla (Kingdom) — Civilization.

Abstract:
This article assesses the authenticity of the recently publicized Hwarang segi manuscripts by comparing the information they contains relating to the hwarang and Silla Buddhists and Buddhism to the information found in the traditional Chinese Buddhist materials and the Korean literary materials dating to the mid-Koryŏ period. The evidence suggests that the manuscripts are not “authentic” or “genuine,” but are probably an in-progress historical fiction dating to the colonial period, because they concoct problematic genealogies for known figures, because they promote Buddhist identities for sixth-century figures that are anachronistic, and because they deploy specialized terminology inconsistently.

* Park, Mee Hae. Pan ch’inyŏng Wedding Rites, Residential Rules, and the Status of Women in Sixteenth-Century Chosŏn: An Analysis Based on Miam-ilgi, the Diary of Yu Hŭi-ch’un

Subject Headings:
o Yu, Hŭi-chʻun, 1513-1577. Miam-ilgi.
o Marriage customs and rites — Korea — History — Chosŏn dynasty, 1392-1910.
o Korea — Social life and customs — 1392-1910.
o Women — Korea — Social conditions — 1392-1910.

Abstract:
This study focuses on wedding rites, residential rules, and the status of women in the mid-Chos0n dynasty. Based on Miam-ilgi (Word 1 – text replacement character ), a diary of Yu H1i-ch’un ( Word 2 – text replacement character ), a famous sixteenth-century Korean Confucian scholar, the marriage of his grandson Kwang-sŏn ( 光先) is examined. The nuptial procedure consisted of the discussion of marriage, the sending of presents to the bridal house, and finally the ceremony itself, nominally called pan ch’inyŏng (Word 3 – text replacement character). In the wedding described in the diary, the bride continued to live in her natal home while the bridegroom alternated between residing at his and his in-laws’ home. Despite the fact that it was a departure from the strict patrilocality advocated by Confucian principles, the diary makes it clear that even Yu H1i-ch’un retained some characteristics of the traditional customs. The bridegroom’s stay with his paternal grandfather implies the significance of socioeconomic factors and the experience necessary to serve as the successor of the Yu family. This article argues that the characteristics of pan ch’inyŏng wedding and variations in the practices thereof is evidence of the flexibility of marriage procedures, residential patterns, and the status of women within a patrilineal society.

* Palmer, Brandon. Imperial Japan’s Preparations to Conscript Koreans as Soldiers, 1942–1945

Subject Headings:
o Japan — Armed Forces — Recruiting, enlistment, etc.
o Draft — Korea — History — Japanese occupation, 1910-1945.
o World War, 1939-1945 — Participation, Korean.

Abstract:
On May 9, 1942, the Japanese colonial government of Korea announced that beginning in December 1944 Korean men would be drafted into the Japanese military. By the end of World War II, 110,000 Korean conscripts served with the Japanese armed forces. Why did the Japanese postpone the enlistment of Korean recruits for thirty months after the initial announcement? This article examines the reasons for the delay. It argues that Japan needed the time to expand Korean proficiency in the Japanese language, to provide basic military training, to solidify its ideological control over Koreans, and to rectify the dilapidated Korean family registry system.

Book Reviews

* Barnes, Gina Lee. Korea and Japan in East Asian History: A Tripolar Approach to East Asian History (review)

Subject Headings:
o Hong, Wontack. Korea and Japan in East Asian history: a tripolar approach to East Asian history.
o East Asia — History.

* Seth, Michael J., 1948- Everlasting Flower: A History of Korea (review)

Subject Headings:
o Pratt, Keith L. Everlasting flower: a history of Korea.
o Korea — History.

* Park, Eugene Y. A Concise History of Korea: From the Neolithic Period through the Nineteenth Century (review)

Subject Headings:
o Seth, Michael J., 1948- Concise history of Korea: from the neolithic period through the nineteenth century.
o Korea — History.

* Hur, Nam-lin. Frontier Contact between Chosŏn Korea and Tokugawa Japan (review)

Subject Headings:
o Lewis, James Bryant. Frontier contact between chosŏn Korea and Tokugawa Japan.
o Korea — Relations — Japan.

* Lee, Yong-Shik, 1966- Perspectives on Korean Music (review)

Subject Headings:
o Howard, Keith, 1956- Perspectives on Korean music.
o Music — Korea — History and criticism.

* Savage, Timothy L. Between Two Adversaries: Korean Interpreters at Japanese Alien Enemy Detention Centers during World War II (review)

Subject Headings:
o Ahn, Hyung-ju. Between two adversaries: Korean interpreters at Japanese alien enemy detention centers during World War II.
o Koreans — United States — History — 20th century.

* Cathcart, Adam J. The War for Korea, 1945–1950: A House Burning (review)

Subject Headings:
o Millett, Allan Reed. War for Korea, 1945-1950: a house burning.
o Korea — History — 20th century.

* Matray, James Irving, 1948- A Troubled Peace: U.S. Policy and the Two Koreas (review)

Subject Headings:
o Lee, Chae-Jin, 1936- Troubled peace: U.S. policy and the two Koreas.
o United States — Foreign relations — Korea.

* Auton, Graeme P. North Korea: Another Country (review)

Subject Headings:
o Cumings, Bruce, 1943- North Korea: another country.
o Korea (North)

* Choi, Sheena, 1956- Human Remolding in North Korea: A Social History of Education (review)

Subject Headings:
o Kim, Hyung-chan. Human remolding in North Korea: a social history of education.
o Kim, Tong-gyu.
o Education — Korea (North) — History.

* Stern, Joseph J. The South Korean Economy: Towards a New Explanation of an Economic Miracle (review)

Subject Headings:
o Kim, Junmo. South Korean economy: towards a new explanation of an economic miracle.
o Korea (South) — Economic conditions — 1960-

* Oppenheim, Robert, 1969- Ethnic Nationalism in Korea: Genealogy, Politics, and Legacy (review)

Subject Headings:
o Shin, Gi-Wook. Ethnic nationalism in Korea: genealogy, politics, and legacy.
o Nationalism — Korea (South)

* Seo, Jungmin. Transforming Korean Politics: Democracy, Reform, and Culture (review)

Subject Headings:
o Kihl, Young W., 1932- Transforming Korean politics: democracy, reform, and culture.
o Democratization — Korea (South) — History.

* Auton, Graeme P. Towards Korean Reconciliation: Socio-Cultural Exchanges and Cooperation (review)

Subject Headings:
o Jonsson, Gabriel, 1962- Towards Korean reconciliation: socio-cultural exchanges and cooperation.
o Korean reunification question (1945- )

* Mori, Barbara Lynne Rowland. Japan, Korea and the 2002 World Cup (review)

Subject Headings:
o Horne, John, 1955-, ed. Japan, Korea and the 2002 World Cup.
o Manzenreiter, Wolfram, ed.
o World Cup (Soccer) (2002)

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