Massive Entanglement, Marginal Influence: Carter and Korea in Crisis

by William H. Gleysteen Jr.

"
Using extensive documentation, this book examines how President Jimmy Carter's troop withdrawal and human rights policies—conceived in abstraction from East Asian realities—contributed to the demise of Korean President Park Chung Hee. The author suggests that some lessons are relevant beyond Korea, for example, in our treatment of human rights problems in China today.
"

267 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1999

Reviews

[Nikki Masi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting reading covering Korean politics during the Park Chung Hee and Chun Doo Hwan regimes. Told from a unique American perspective. Great insight on the politics and history of Korea during the time!

[Pavan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good intro to Korean history and the American role in Korean politics during the military era - and the complicated dynamics of diplomacy between a superpower trying to do the right thing while protecting its interests and a client government acting self-destructively but with most of the cards. AMB Gleysteen really has it out for Jimmy Carter, and with the benefit of hindsight, it seems a bit unfair. He comes off as a bit defensive in justifying U.S. acquiescence to the Chun regime and the events in Gwangju - surely, after 1987, you've gotta reevaluate whether U.S. support for military rule was necessary or even useful, and Glysteen doesn't seem interested in reevaluating. Still it's a useful intro to modern Korean history and the transition from military rule to democracy.