A Bilingual Code of Korean Labor Law

Jung Bong-soo; Joong-Ang Economy: 1,588 pp., 50,000 won

Many immigrant workers here struggle with a lower-than-expected paycheck, exploitation and other forms of work-related discriminations and disadvantages due to their ignorance of Korean Labor Law.

Many non-Korean heads of foreign-invested firms here also have had limited access to a creditable source of information about Korean law edited in a foreign language, particularly in English.

To resolve these issues, Jung Bong-soo, labor attorney at KangNam Labor Law Firm in Seoul, published a Korean-English code of the Labor Law, making it possible for non-Korean speaking workers and foreign business leaders here to deeply learn about their due rights.

The book covers 25 laws, the Constitution, and enforcement ordinances at the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

“The book includes improved translated legal terms in labor law toward common acceptance according to global standards,” Jung said.

His firm recently launched a smartphone application, titled “A Bilingual Code of Korean Labor Law,” which offers the same content as the book. The application is downloadable for free.



Seven Questions to Ask Before It’s Too Late

Kang Il-soo; BusinessMap: 236pp., 12,000 won

“You should remember that there is always someone who dreams to live your life,” author Kang Il-soo emphasizes to readers.
It’s true that people do not realize the fundamental cause for problems actually come from themselves.

Self-reform comes from a thorough self-objectification. The author of this book tries to convey a message that people should first understand their needs and limitations, and then ask themselves questions to find out future possibilities.

Without such a process and if they are only interested in what and how others do, they will end up with nothing — no improvements plus they will stay at their current level.

Kang, who has had over 25 years experience in corporate management, highlights that people should get a grip on reality in order to escape from all the uncomfortable and negative emotions in their lives.

The book questions seven different situations with those who have a correct understanding of reality. It’s time to figure out the reasons for problems and seek ways to reach solutions.



Children’s Picture books: the art of visual storymaking

Martin Salisbury and MOrag Styles; Translated from English to Korean by Seo Nam-hee; Sigong Art: 196pp., 23,000 won

The two authors believe picture books embody the art of visual storytelling, as these are the first books everyone encounters in life and they affect childhood and development.

Beginning with the history of picture books from the 15th century to now, it describes the interaction between text and picture as well as diverse printing methods.

Salisbury and Styles also discuss the proper level of theme and illustration for picture books, as the range of readers widens. They give Belgian artist Sabien Clement’s “Jij lievert (You Darling)” as a good example of depicting sex in a picture book. However, they do not judge whether it is suitable for children or not, as each child matures at different speeds.

The book provides a variety of references including images of book covers, inside pages and sketches by prominent picture book
artists such as Randolph Caldecott and Kitty Crowther.