"Modern Korean Society" - A Comprehensive Picture of Korea

South Korea, with its successful compressed industrialization, can be seen as a development model for developing countries like Vietnam. The lessons of South Korea, both the successes and failures, will be helpful for Vietnam, a country that is starting to industrialize.

In recent years, Korean investment activities in Vietnam have been increasing. In 2007, Korea ranked first among countries and territories in terms of FDI capital in Vietnam.

Along with the success of Korean businesses in Vietnam, there have also been conflicts between Korean business owners and Vietnamese workers. In addition, the development of the "marrying Korean men" movement in recent years has raised many burning social issues for both Vietnam and Korea.

Among the many reasons for the conflicts and tensions mentioned, an important reason is that both sides still lack a full understanding of each other's socio-cultural characteristics. In such a context, the publication of documents introducing Korean culture to the Vietnamese people, as well as documents introducing Vietnamese culture and society to the Korean people, is extremely necessary. The book "Modern Korean Society" is a work that meets that urgent need.

Compiled by leading sociology professors of Seoul National University, the book consists of 10 chapters presented logically from "tradition" to "present" and towards "future"; from "social statics" to "social dynamics". The book has provided readers with knowledge about important sociological issues such as tradition, miraculous economic development, issues such as population and family, education, occupation, social structure, civil society, social relations, cultural changes as well as the future of Korea.

In general, the essential issues of sociology of Korea have been selected for presentation. Readers can easily see clearly the image of a modern Korean society formed from history and developed in the present period. Without overemphasizing abstract theoretical knowledge, the book has provided readers with appropriate theoretical knowledge, combined with the application of those theories to explain the practice as well as the development trend of Korea. Those interested in middle range sociological theories can find useful applications from the pages of the book to apply it in Vietnam.

The Vietnamese translation of this book was done by lecturers of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. It is not only an important textbook for students majoring in Korean studies but also a valuable reference for students majoring in sociology, anthropology and those interested in studying Korea in Vietnam.

The knowledge provided in the book will truly contribute to enhancing understanding between the two countries as well as promoting economic cooperation and cultural exchange between the two countries.