By Do Je-hae
Korea is a nation obsessed with English. It is an important tool for promotion at workplaces and some universities such as Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) are adopting it as the official language in the office and on campus.
There has also been some public debate about whether this country, which has no colonial experience with an English-speaking country, should adopt English as a second official language to promote globalization.
“English Awakens Joseon,” a two-part series by journalist Kim Young-cheol, provides a detailed historical reference on how English entered the country during the late Joseon Kingdom (1392-1897) and how it has impacted Korean society.
Kim writes for the city desk of one of Korea’s major news dailies. He majored in diplomacy at Seoul National University.
This book is particularly useful for diplomats, students and professors in international relations because they are very informative about how the Joseon elite used English in dealing with foreign powers.
“The book is intriguing in that it takes a look at Korea’s modern history through its relationship with English and English-speaking countries. It would be enlightening for Koreans working in the international stage,” Lee Yong-joon, Korea’s ambassador to Malaysia, said in the introduction of the book.