1948: Birth of South Korea and Its Legitimacy Debate
Was the 1948 Republic of Korea legitimate? Constitutional debates, UN recognition, and divided nation.
State-Building Stories
State-Building Stories
Why Korea Kept Japanese Colonial Police After Liberation
Why did Korea keep Japanese colonial police? The pragmatic but controversial decision after liberation.
State-Building Stories
Northwest Youth Association: Origins of Korean Far-Right
The Northwest Youth Association: North Korean refugees who became South Korea’s anti-communist force.
State-Building Stories
Syngman Rhee and the 1946 Crisis: How South Korea’s First Leader Crushed the Left
How Syngman Rhee crushed the 1946 leftist threat. The Daegu Uprising and birth of security state.
State-Building Stories
Why Did South Vietnam Fall? The 1963 Diem Assassination
Why did South Vietnam fall? The 1963 coup, Diem’s assassination, and state-building failure.
State-Building Stories
Ngo Dinh Nhu: The Shadow Ruler Behind Diem’s Regime
Ngo Dinh Nhu: The power behind Diem’s throne. Secret police, political manipulation, road to catastrophe.