The Making of Minjung: Democracy and the Politics of Representation in South Korea

The Making of Minjung Democracy and the Politics of Representation in South Korea This book provides a comprehensive and critical account of the minjung movement in South Korea, a phenomenon that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s in response to the country's repressive authoritarian regime. The movement, which translates to "common people's" in English, was driven by a desire to address the nation's "failed history" and to create a more inclusive and representative society. Through a wide range of sources, including underground pamphlets, diaries, court documents, and interviews with participants, Namhee Lee sheds light on the intellectual and cultural dimensions of the minjung movement. The book reveals how thousands of students and intellectuals became factory workers, forging an intellectual-labor alliance that was perhaps unique in world history. The minjung movement also had a profound impact on traditional folk theater, literature, and religious practices, and its legacy continues to shape South Korea's social and political landscape. Understanding the minjung movement is essential to understanding South Korea's recent transformation, including its economic and social changes. This book offers a nuanced and insightful exploration of a pivotal moment in South Korean history, and is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the country's politics, culture, and society.