Includes bibliographical references (pages 251-253) and index.

Balance-of-power politics and the Occupation : the nineteenth century to 1945 -- Liberation, division, and war : 1945 to 1953 -- The Koreas : 1953 to 1980 -- Change vs continuity : 1980 to 1990 -- Diverging paths : the Koreas from 1990 to 2010 -- An open South, a closed North : 2010 to 2023 -- Unification and the changing regional context.

"Korea has a long, riveting history--it is also a divided nation. South Korea is a vibrant democracy, the tenth largest economy, and is home to a world-renowned culture. North Korea is ruled by the most authoritarian regime in the world, a poor country in a rich region, and is best known for the cult of personality surrounding the ruling Kim family. But both Koreas share a unique common history. Victor Cha and Ramon Pacheco Pardo draw on decades of research to explore the history of modern Korea, from the late nineteenth century, Japanese occupation, and Cold War division to the present day. A small country caught amongst the world's largest powers--including China, Japan, Russia, and the United States--Korea's fate has been closely connected to its geography and the strength of its leadership and society. This comprehensive history sheds light on the evolving identities of the two Koreas, explaining the sharp differences between North and South, and prospects for unification."--Dust jacket.