Korea in the Cross Currents

The Korean peninsula underwent a continuous number of earth-shaking events in the twentieth century - although it is generally out of the earthquake zone. Jutting off the extreme northeast edge of the Eurasian landmass, and with a combined population of nearly seventy million people, North and South Korea are situated among China, Japan and Russia. They are also profoundly influenced by the United States because of the circumstances of the Korean War (1950-1953). The issues of war and peace, left over from the Korean war, remain unresolved; these two separate states are the residue of the Cold War. This anomaly still poses ominous prospects for war or peace in Asia, and American national security interests. Focusing on the last hundred years of Korea's long history, and its particular relationship with China, one is in a position both to understand and marvel at the events of this century on the Korean peninsula. At the same time, the complexity of the division of the country into North and South Korea - not just a perennial struggle between good and evil, although that is certainly part of the story - places the future at risk. There was one terrible war that divided the 20th century in half and there are threats of more trouble to come. This study of the history of the past century will provide some answers and open the way to informed speculations.

"...a succinct overview and thoughtful analysis of the key events that have affected and continue to affect the Korean people." - Journal of Asian Studies

"Required reading for Asians and Americans." - Virginia Quarterly Review

"...a useful introduction to modern Korean history. Its brevity and accessibility will make it a popular choice among readers..." - Choice

ROBERT MYERS is the author of numerous books on foreign policy and Korea including US Foreign Policy in the 21st Century: The Relevance of Realism (1999) and Korea in the 20th Century: From Colonialism to Globalism (forthcoming). He received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in International Relations and was a member of the CIA assigned to various South-East Asian countries for over twenty years.