Building Ships, Building a Nation

"Building Ships, Building a Nation" by the University of Washington Press is a compelling exploration of the labor dynamics at the Korea Shipbuilding and Engineering Corporation (KSEC) during the transformative years of Park Chung Hee's rule from 1961 to 1979. This insightful narrative delves into the rise and fall of KSEC's combative labor union, which played a pivotal role in shaping the shipbuilding industry in Korea, particularly before Hyundai emerged in the early 1970s. Spanning 336 pages, this paperback edition offers a detailed account of the socio-economic factors influencing labor relations and industrial development in South Korea. Ideal for history enthusiasts and those interested in labor studies, this book provides a thorough understanding of how the shipbuilding sector contributed to nation-building in Korea. Published in 2011, "Building Ships, Building a Nation" is a must-read for anyone looking to grasp the complexities of industrial growth and labor movements in a rapidly evolving economy.