The Telecommunications Revolution in Korea

The dynamism of the Republic of Korea's export-led economy and the recent exceptional growth of the Korean electronics industry are renowned worldwide. The communications revolution is even more remarkable: in the 1980s, Korea's basic telecommunications infrastructure grew faster than that of any other country in the world. The Korean people and industry have embraced the information age with extraordinary speed and adaptability. In this first, comprehensive study, James F. Larson analyses the economic, technological, political, and socio-cultural dimensions of the Korean communications phenomenon. He examines the reforms which have fostered greater network access and efficiency, and the role of education in the promotion of new technologies. The author discusses the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul as a catalyst to progress, and the role of new technologies in Korean reunification. James F. Larson offers original documentary data to the case of Korea, and supports his analysis with interviews with Korean leaders from government, industry, research institutes, and academia.