For South Koreans, the early 1960s to late 1970s were the best and worst of times-a period of unprecedented economic growth and deepening political oppression. Carter J. Eckert finds the roots of this dramatic socioeconomic transformation in the country's long history of militarization, personified in South Korea's paramount leader, Park Chung Hee.

For South Koreans, the early 1960s to late 1970s were the best and worst of times¿a period of unprecedented economic growth and deepening political oppression. Carter J. Eckert finds the roots of this dramatic socioeconomic transformation in the country¿s long history of militarization, personified in South Koreäs paramount leader, Park Chung Hee.