South Korea: The Tiger Strikes

In the winter of 1996-1997, the model 'tiger' economy of South Korea, dominated by 30 giant conglomerates, was engulfed by a huge political general strike. The workers' revolt against the Kim Young-sam regime, in the teeth of vicious state repression, had a powerful impact. It captured the imagination of the world's working people and delivered a severe blow to the confidence of its ruling classes.

This pamphlet, commissioned by the Committee for a Workers' International (CWI), draws on first-hand material, interviews, comments and eye-witness accounts from the participants and observers of the struggle. It also draws on the rich and tragic history of this divided nation with its never ending conflict of the classes. In its pages many myths are shattered and the grim secrets behind South Korea's dazzling 'success' are revealed.