On the eve of the millenium, South Korea reeled and almost collapsed as a result of a weak financial system and heavily indebted conglomerates. More recently, North Korea has been named to the Axis of Evil and flaunts its nuclear weapons program, while tensions mount along the DMZ. As Korea increasingly becomes a flashpoint for international conflict, the need to understand and appreciate this unique people becomes more and more apparent. Revised for this paperback edition, The Koreans will be completely up-to-date and especially focused on the growing troubles with North Korea, providing an in-depth portrait of the peninsula and its divided people.