S.Korea - new history

No political system fits exactly into a 'left' and 'right' wing, but in general, in South Korea, the Grand National Party are written about as on the Right and that means strongly pro-US and anti-communist, while the Uri Party are of the Left and see anti-Americanism as overdue and feel the communist North will respond better to the carrot than the stick.

The bitterness with which their debates are carried out, and it's physical nature in Parliament, can seem a bit surprising to outsiders. The publication of a new version of a classic modern history of Korea may be the first sign that something more fraternal is just around the corner though.

The 'New Understanding of Post-Liberation History' will revise some of the received ideas of those on the Left as it updates a classic work from 1979. Some liberal commentators see this in the more balanced approach to issues like how much choice the first President, Syngman Rhee, had in accepting the division of Korea and think it a signal for a move towards the centre by all political movements - there's even talk of a 'third way' which will jolt the memory of any UK readers more from the Joong Ang Daily...

The conservative press also welcomed this revision and talked about a less divisive future more from the Chosun Ilbo...