Book launch: “An Introduction to the Political Economy of South Korea”

In 2013, the Korea Foundation established a team of Korean scholars to compile and publish the book.An Overview of South Korean Political EconomyThe book introduces the socio-economic development of South Korea. In 2016, the book was first translated into Vietnamese with the support of the Korea Foundation and published by Hanoi National University Publishing House. The translation and editing were carried out by lecturers from the Department of Korean Studies, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Book coverAn overview of South Korea's economic and political landscape.

The book is considered to have covered many different aspects of Korean development, focusing on three main areas of Korean political economy: economic modernization, political democratization, and the globalization of Korean diplomacy. These are considered fundamental issues of Korean society in general and of the Korean government's development policy in particular. The book systematically introduces, both fundamentally and specifically, the characteristics, features, and historical transformations in key areas of Korean history. In the context of Korean studies in Vietnam, despite over 20 years of development, there is still a scarcity of in-depth research on Korea. This is a valuable resource, meeting the research and information needs of scientists, students, and those interested in Korean studies in Vietnam.

Mr. Park Kyoung Choel (Representative of the Korea Foundation for International Exchange in Hanoi) delivered a speech at the ceremony.

At the book launch ceremony, Mr. Park Kyoung Choel (Representative of the Korea Foundation for International Exchange in Hanoi) stated: The Korea Foundation for International Exchange was established with the aim of promoting mutual understanding between the people of Korea and other countries around the world. The Foundation has many activities to promote the image of Korean culture and society to friends worldwide, especially focusing on supporting learning materials for the development of Korean studies. The Foundation chose Vietnamese as the first foreign language for translating this book and placed its trust in the staff of the Department of Korean Studies, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities – one of the leading units in research and teaching of Korean studies in Vietnam. In the future, the Foundation will continue to work closely with and support the Faculty and University in similar activities.

Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities

Professor Pham Quang Minh, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, believes this is a significant event, aiming to introduce a valuable scientific work to a wide Vietnamese readership. Through this work, readers will find answers to the question: why has South Korea achieved such miraculous development and spread its strong influence to many other countries, becoming one of the world's top 10 economies, and earning the title "Miracle on the Han River"? And what lessons can Vietnam learn from South Korea's development?

This book was created to meet the great need for understanding Korea in Vietnam, especially in the context of the strong development of cooperative relations between the two countries. As one of the first countries to normalize relations with Vietnam after the war, the leaders and people of both countries had a forward-thinking understanding that enabled them to quickly establish an effective and sustainable cooperative relationship, contributing positively to the development of both countries.

Professor Mai Ngoc Chu - President of the Korean Studies Association in Vietnam

Professor Mai Ngoc Chu, President of the Korean Studies Association in Vietnam, assessed that the book, with its substantial content and rich material, will be a bedside book for many Korean studies researchers at research and training institutions nationwide. Although Korean studies in Vietnam emerged relatively late in Southeast Asia, it has one of the fastest development rates in the region. Political economy is a fundamental subject in Korean studies, yet Vietnam suffers from a severe shortage of textbooks, materials, and experts in this field. The launch of this book is a timely and significant activity for Korean studies research, as well as helping to enhance the prestige of the Department of Oriental Studies and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Dr. Luu Tuan Anh - Head of the Department of Oriental Studies

Dr. Luu Tuan Anh, Head of the Department of Oriental Studies, expressed his gratitude to the Korea Foundation and Hanoi National University Publishing House for their assistance in translating this book – a comprehensive handbook on the political economy of Korea. The book, compiled by the Korea Foundation's scientific and educational materials editorial team, aims to introduce information about Korea to the outside world, thus ensuring high reliability and up-to-date data. This is a noteworthy achievement following the efforts of the Department's staff in developing learning materials and promoting Korean studies in Vietnam.