A Korean Nationalist Entrepreneur: A Life History of Kim Songsu, 1891-1955

by Choong Soon Kim

Overview

This book delineates the drive for Korean modernization by cultural nationalists during the colonial era in the early twentieth century. The cultural nationalism movement, led by moderate nationalists, eschewed overt resistance to Japanese imperialism and advocated self-strengthening programs to lay the foundation for future Korean independence. To describe this movement, this book focuses on Kim Sŏngsu and his various projects for Korean modernization. The author provides a narrative that includes encapsulated stories and sheds light on the Japanese colonial policies concerning Korea.

A Korean Nationalist Entrepreneur examines Kim's projects in chronological order, reflecting historian Carter J. Erkert's statement that Kim's life history has been so closely intertwined with some of the deepest currents of modern Korean history itself. The book describes how Kim took over and developed a post-elementary school, founded Korea's first modern textile firm, established one of Korea's major newspapers, and established Posong Junior College (which later became Koryo University). In 1946, after Korea's liberation from Japan, Kim became a pivotal figure in the conservative Korean Democratic Party, which became the main opposition party in Korea in the 1950s. He eventually became vice president in 1951 under Syngman Rhee.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780791437223
Publisher:	State University of New York Press
Publication date:	04/23/1998
Series:	SUNY series in Korean Studies
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	237
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Choong Soon Kim is University Faculty Scholar and Professor of Anthropology, The University of Tennessee at Martin. His previous books include Japanese Industry in the American South; The Culture of Korean Industry: An Ethnography of Poongsan Corporation; Faithful Endurance: An Ethnography of Poongsan Corporation; An Asian Anthropologist in the South: Field Experiences with Blacks, Indians, and Whites; and T'ojong Pigyo l-un Muotsinga.

Table of Contents

Illustrations

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. A Long Journey from Premodern to Modern

2. Education as a Means for Korean Modernization

3. The Establishment of an Enterprise for Korean Modernization

4. Publishing the Tonga Ilbo

5. The Establishment of Koryo* (Korea) University for Higher Education

6. Kim Songsu* and His Involvement in Politics

7. The Legacy of Kim Songsu*

Appendix A. List of Abbreviations

Appendix B. Chronology

Appendix C. Guide to Romanization

Notes

Bibliography

About the Author

Index

Editorial Reviews

"Choong Soon Kim's well-written book weaves a history of Korean capitalism and a history of an important and controversial man into a single narrative; in so doing, he reveals the values of both. This enjoyable study will be of interest to all students of Korea and especially those looking for a fresh perspective on the complicated relationships between colonial histories and capitalism." — Roy Richard Grinker, Associate Professor of Anthropology and International Affairs, The George Washington University

From the Publisher

Kim (anthropology, U. of Tennessee-Martin) focuses on Kim Songsu's life to reveal the strategies and activities of cultural nationalists under Japanese colonial rule. He describes how they sought to lay a solid foundation for later Korean independence rather than overtly resisting the Japanese. Kim Songsu took over and developed a post- elementary school, founded Korea's first modern textile firm, established a major newspaper, and set up the college that became Koryo University. After liberation be became a pivotal figure in conservative politics, rising in 1951 to the vice presidency. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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