Having recently taken up the thoroughly engaging if not slightly masochistic hobby of reading North Korea related literature, I would like to share on this blog some of my thoughts on these works and to invite others to do the same. Also, I am always looking for book recommendations and would love to hear about other North Korea related works that people have come across.

The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History, By Don Oberdorfer

This rather hefty piece of manuscript is one of if not the best historical portrayals of Korean intra-peninsular and international relations from the end of WWII until near present day. Don Oberdorfer, a retired journalist for The Washington Post with an extensive East Asian policy background, gives a generally unbiased, straightforward account of the events that have taken place on both sides of the DMZ since the division of the peninsula in 1945.

Oberdorfer’s journalistic writing style makes the task of reading this mammoth book much easier and more enjoyable. So don’t be turned off by its intimidating size. It is definitely a worthwhile read, especially for someone unfamiliar with the history behind today’s headlines regarding North and South Korea. As with any history book, the endless barrage of names and dates, at times, certainly taxes one’s memory, but overall, the book’s content is well presented and entertainingly informative.

On the cover, there is a quote from Donald Gregg, the former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, stating that The Two Koreas is “the standard against which other books on modern Korea will be judged.” And it certainly is that standard for me.

Kim Jong-Il: North Korea’s Dear Leader, By Michael Breen

This short and “sweet” portrayal of Kim Jong-il’s life, political  savvy-ness, and future prospects reveals another side to the North Korean dictator that is often missed by his critics and the scores of jokes made at his expense. Michael Breen attempts to reconcile some commonly made assumptions about Kim Jong-il with deeper understandings of Korean culture and society. Though some may consider this approach to be too naive , I must say that it is refreshing to examine both Kim Jong-il’s comical and “villainesque” qualities alike from a more human perspective.

Overflowing with quotes and historical anecdotes, Breen’s book offers a more level-headed analysis of what possibly makes the Dear Leader tick. I must admit that, at first, I had a hard time discerning Breen’s abundant use of sarcasm from his actual criticisms of the North Korean regime. But once I got used to his brand of humor and writing style, it made for a highly entertaining and engaging read, in which I found myself agreeing with the majority of arguments made.

However, Breen’s book is not free of his own biases and is somewhat simplistic in its rendering of historical events and their significances. This being said, I do appreciate Breen’s different approach to North Korean analyses and would highly recommend this book, even if just for its entertainment value.

Bibliography

Breen, Michael. Kim Jong-Il: North Korea’s Dear Leader. Singapore: John Wiley & Sons (Asia) Pte Ltd, 2004.
Oberdorfer, Don. The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History, Revised and Updated. Perseus Publishing, 2002.

Reviews to Come

Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader: North Korea and the Kim Dynasty, By Bradley K. Martin

Escaping North Korea: Defiance and Hope in the World’s Most Repressive Country, By Mike Kim

Comrades and Strangers: Behind the Closed Doors of North Korea, By Michael Harrold

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