South Korea: The Rise to Globalism

A talk by Dr. Charles Armstrong, professor of Korean Studies at Columbia University.

Talk is hosted by the Albuquerque International Association, Speaker is Dr. Charles Armstrong, Professor of Korean Studies at Columbia University.

Until the close of the twentieth century, Korea had never in its modern history been a major economic or political force in the East Asian region, much less the world at large. Yet despite the continued division of the Korean peninsula and the uncertain security environment in Northeast Asia, South Korea on its own has become an important country in the global economy, ranking thirteenth in the world in overall gross domestic product. Its ships, cars, and electronics have become name-brands throughout the world; its popular culture has swept over the East Asian region and beyond; and, only a few decades removed from deep dependence on foreign aid, South Korea has established its own aid and development program for assisting Third World countries.  In less than half a century South Korea has been transformed from a war-ravaged dictatorship to a high-tech democracy and an important global force in technology, economy, culture and security. This transformation challenges many assumptions about how we have understood the phenomenon of globalization, especially the idea that globalization is a strictly Westernizing or Americanizing phenomenon. In some respects the world, Asia in particular, is becoming significantly “Koreanized.”

Cost: $15/AIA Members, $20/Non-Members; Students (under 26) with ID – Free.

Payment: On-line at www.abqinternational.org or at the door. You can also mail a check to arrive by May 1. Please address checks to AIA and mail to AIA, PO Box 92995, Albuquerque, NM 87199.