An Uneasy Coexistence: North and South Korea in the Modern World

3 units

The North Korean nuclear crisis has dominated headlines recently, and many are left wondering if there remain any solutions to such a seemingly intractable dispute. Deciphering the actions and intentions of such an opaque Stalinist regime such as North Korea further complicates the situation. Despite the mysteriousness of the North Korean regime and the complexity of the geopolitical situation on the Korean peninsula, delving into the history of the two Koreas concurrently and exploring their interconnections provide us with a more informed perspective on the current crisis and may answer many looming questions. Why is the Korean peninsula currently divided, and who was responsible for this division? What are the language varieties of the two Koreas, and how different are they? How does this difference bode for possible reunification? Why is the North Korean regime so anti-American? These and similar topics will be explored as we delve into the cultural history of North and South Korea from the perspectives of literature, film, linguistics, and political science.