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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

Two books show perspectives on America today

By Richard Dowling Jon Huer is a widely published American sociologist (11 previous books) with a varied experience of American life, culture, and society that he has brought to bear in publishing two groundbreaking studies of American society entitled “American Paradise” and “Auschwitz, USA.” The two books reinforce, illuminate, and support one another and can be profitably read together. The two titles are stunning, provocative, wonderfully appropriate in their aptly compressed expression of the central, radical, profoundly original, and brilliant themes developed in each book. Both books are unique and unprecedented in the relentless logic and terrible comprehensive finality with which they condemn certain prevailing dangerous social and cultural ideas, developments, practices, habits, and institutional arrangements that are destroying the promise and fabric of American life. Huer defies and even attempts to demolish prevailing conventions and contemporary academic consensus regarding American life. He presents a series of ideas and perspectives about America today that

Sep 10, 2010

Recent Books

UN, It’s My World Kim Jung-tae; Lux Media: 460 pp., 25,000 won After Ban Ki-moon became secretary-general of the United Nations, public attention has been focused on the organization’s activities. Any global-minded youngsters might dream of working for the U.N. but how much do we know about it? Although there is an ongoing debate over doubting the leadership and effectiveness of the organization in a fast-changing era, the U.N. still continues to create numerous values for the betterment of mankind. This book offers a comprehensive look at the organization through its subordinate agencies dealing with various subjects from human rights, disease, poverty, famine and national conflicts to the use of mines. The author who works for the U.N. Governance Center (UNGC) writes about his own experiences and know-how as a native Korean. He says that his hard-work and humble-minded attitude led him to successfully land a job there. The book consists of three parts ― introduction and history, activities and roles, and how to land a job. Also, it gives the information about

Sep 10, 2010

Serving others key to meaningful aging

By Chung Ah-young Aging may not be a pleasant thing for anyone but it’s inevitable. As Korean society is getting grayer, growing old is becoming a contentious issue. Living longer seems to be a blessing but it’s only feasible when we live a decent life. So what is a decent life in an aging society? Hesung Chun, 81, founder and chairwoman of the East Rock Institute (ERI) in New Haven, is one of the busiest residents at the Whitney Center, a retirement community in the United States. Living in the U.S. for 62 years, Chun has compiled her experiences and inspirational stories from the center into a book, “Meaningful Aging” (JoongAng Books). The work introduces her fellow residents who are actively engaged in volunteer work and community services at the resident-driven non-profit organization. The center has served seniors since 1979 under the guidance of a local volunteer board of directors charged with fulfillment of the mission. Chun moved to the center that takes care of all kinds of its residents’ needs from food to health, education and recreation, three years ag

Sep 10, 2010

Book fest features Yi Sang, digital medium

By Chung Ah-young Around this time every year, Hongdae, the hustle-and-bustle clubbing area near Hongik University, turns into a special venue for an outdoor book extravaganza. The 6th Wow Book Festival, one of the biggest book fetes in Seoul, will take place from Sept. 7 to 12 in various places around Hongdae such as parking lots, streets and cafes. This year, it will offer 70 cultural programs including meetings with authors, film screenings, exhibitions, fairs, performances and a street book market, in which some 100 publishers will participate. The children’s section is one of the most popular parts of the festival in which both children and their parents can participate in, including a book reading session of fairy tales and performances such as mimes and cultural shows. At a flea market for books, people can sell their own books. As a side program, novelist Lim Chul-woo will hold a reading of his new book “Say Goodbye on Valley,” while comedian-turned-painter Lim Hyuk-pil will share ideas with his fans through his book “Travel to Seoul’s Historic Spots.” Le

Sep 3, 2010

Recent Books

Reassessing the Leadership of Park Chung-hee Ahn Yuong-sup et al. Sunin Books; 360 pp., 26,000 won The late Korean President Park Chung-hee is arguably the most contested figure in the country’s postwar history. Some glorify him as the father of modern Korea, crediting his leadership for the country’s meteoric rise from the war-torn ashes to become an Asian economic power. Others recall him as a ruthless dictator who suppressed democratization. Despite the polarized opinions, Park was selected as the most influential figure in national history in a survey by The Korea Times’ sister paper Hankook Ilbo. In an attempt to reassess Park, the book documents his life and career based on spoken records of witnesses from various perspectives ranging from diplomacy and economy to politics. The book emphasizes the accuracy and credibility of the oral statements of survivors who witnessed his reign. His contemporaries were urged to tell the truth since their testimonies serve as crucial historical sources. Not only his advocates but also his opponents took part to provide a bala

Sep 3, 2010

Recent Books

Hangeul: Korea’s Unique Alphabet Robert Koehler; Korea Foundation: 104 pp., 9,000 won Prior to the upcoming G20 summit, a book introducing the excellence of “hangeul,” or the Korean alphabet, has been published in English by the Korea Foundation to better provide the gist of Korean culture to foreigners. “Hangeul: Korea’s Unique Alphabet”is the first in the series of “Korea Essentials” that will continue to be published following this book. The book explains the systemic principles of the characters, and their cultural and social influences; the process of the alphabets creation and its historical background. Various photos, graphics and illustrations are offered to enhance the understanding of vowels and consonants. Among some 300 alphabets used worldwide, “hangeul”is the only one whose creator _ King Sejong _ has been identified. The book traces the legacy of King Sejong called “Joseon’s Leonardo da Vinci” who had diverse talents from literature and arts to even science. It also delves into the influence on women’s activities, particularly in literature,

Aug 27, 2010

Rediscovering Korean literary classics

By Chung Ah-young “Jeonuchi,” an ancient Korean tale, had remained little known to the public until it was made into the local superhero film “Woochi” directed by Choi Dong-hoon. Reborn with its modern twist and reinterpretation, the tale has come under spotlight from the dark and dusty shelves of the olden days. Other less-known ancient classics are also waiting for a new touch from modern society. Munhakdongne, one of the nation’s largest publishers, has released 10 volumes of the Korean Classic Literature Series after five years of collaboration with prominent scholars as part of a long-term project. The publisher will continue to translate some 100 volumes of ancient classics — some written in Chinese characters and others in old Korean script — in modern Korean. Sim Kyung-ho, a professor and scholar of ancient Korean literature, said that the aim of the project was a “re-creation” of the classics. “I think the classics can be defined differently in accordance with the needs of the time. We should discover hidden works and find new meaning. Also, the

Aug 27, 2010

Gwanghwamun Kyobo opens after revamp

By Han Sang-hee Kyobo Book Centre reopened its Gwanghwamun branch after a five-month renovation, Friday. The bookstore had been a popular spot, and the revamp will likely satisfy more booklovers and attract more visitors, as it has been equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Under the concepts ``communication’’ and ``future,’’ the bookstore has arranged three distinctive sections for the two subjects _ consilience and POD (Publish-On-Demand) corners, and a smart phone service. ``As the world becomes more digitalized, communication becomes more important offline. That’s why we emphasized interaction and communication,’’ said Kim Seong-ryong, head of the bookstore. The bookstore opened two separate sections called ``Guseojae’’ and ``Samhwanjae,’’ each based on the libraries of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) era scholars, Lee Deok-mu and Chae Ji-hong, respectively. These two sections will offer books recommended by experts in various fields. Kyobo explained that it aimed to move forward from the rather passive functioning of displaying books, and offer visitors a

Aug 26, 2010

Encyclopedia on Korean folk customs available in English

By Chung Ah-young Although Korea’s economic power has been widely recognized throughout the world, its culture, especially folk tradition, remains in the dark. In many cases, English publications related to Korea are limited mostly to travel, national treasures and pop culture. It is difficult to find English books that offer an understanding of Korean folk culture. In an effort to help foreigners better understand Korean folk culture, the National Folk Museum of Korea has published the English version of the “Encyclopedia of Korean Seasonal Customs.” To promote Korean folk culture worldwide, it is the first time the English-based encyclopedia has been published featuring the seasonal customs. The publication has come out after the Korean version was printed between 2004 and 2007 in six volumes overviewing the first lunar month, spring, summer, autumn, winter and an index covering the seasonal customs symbolizing Korean folk culture. With 2,267 headwords, the Korean version is truly a specialized encyclopedia. The newly published English edition condensed the 2,26

Aug 24, 2010

Recent Books

Re-evaluation of Values: A Journey in Search of Core Values Park Yong-june; Kung Ree Publishing: 364 pp., 18,000 won In the modern era of convenience and high technology, the Indigo Global Humanities Project based in Busan seeks to reconnect humanity with ethics, aesthetics and compassion. The umbrella organization ― which includes a cultural center, bookstore, magazine and after-school program _ spotlights famous intellectuals the world over, including high profile personalities such as Noam Chomsky and the late Howard Zinn, in hopes of nurturing a ``more humane world.’’ This book chronicles a series of conversations held with influential cultural figures to guide in an uplifting manner the way to social enlightenment, the big question being: ``What are we to do to make a difference?’’ How can we recalibrate the values important to sustain our world? From the Australian philosopher and author Peter Singer (``To me the underlying principle [of justice] is equal concern for the interests of everyone.’’) to African human rights’ organizations, Park and his team of young ac

Aug 20, 2010
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