The Republic of Korea, or simply South Korea, is as everyone must know by now one of the East Asian "tigers." It is, if anything, the most dynamic of the newly industrialized countries and has managed to modernize farming while literally creating from nothing major industries including automobile shipbuilding and electronics. Its companies are known far and wide. But far less is known about its culture and society and even its politics, aside from the fact that after several dictatorships it now has a very vigorous democracy.

How all of this came about is explained in this second edition of the Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Korea, now in its second edition. This book goes far back in history, indeed, to the prehistoric period in the chronology, which traces its many metamorphoses until it finally did become the Republic of Korea. A lengthy introduction provides a closer look at this history, describing and also explaining it. More information is provided in hundreds of dictionary entries on significant persons, places, events and institutions, and yes, the military, but also its political parties. Relations with North Korea and allies like the United States and also the United Nations, round this out. So this book is certainly a good place to get started and further reading can be found in the bibliography.