The Paradox of the DMZ: Making War, Division, and Unification Intelligible Through Korean Picture Books

Yeojoo Lim, Sarah Park-Dahlen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In South Korea, remnants of the Korean War are everywhere, especially at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the 160-mile strip separating the two Koreas. The DMZ is a paradox: a site of intense militarism and great biodiversity, virtually untouched over decades of division. Inspired by Sohyun An’s research on how American and international children’s books portray the Korean War, we examine how South Korean picture books portray the paradox of the DMZ, specifically how it exists and what its future might be. We analyze five picture books alongside our observations at a DMZ peace park and war museum, and consider how these books contribute to what South Korean children might learn about division and war, the DMZ, and the complexities of unification and commercialization.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)45-54
Number of pages10
JournalBookbird: Journal of International Children's Literature
Volume61
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Literature and Literary Theory

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