Heroes and Toilers: Work as Life in Postwar North Korea, 1953-1961

In the decade following the Korean War, North Korea turned to labor to seek national unity and state control. Cheehyung Harrison Kim's book Heroes and Toilers provides an unprecedented account of life and labor in postwar North Korea, highlighting the roles of governance and resistance. Kim argues that work was crucial to state control, characterized by repetitive work, mass mobilization, labor heroes, and the insistence on convergence between living and working. Workers challenged and reconfigured state power to accommodate their circumstances, such as coming late to work, switching jobs, fighting with bosses, and profiting from the black market.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 22 February 2022
Publisher: Columbia University Press

In the decade following the Korean War, North Korea sought to establish national unity and assert state control. To achieve this, the government implemented policies that prioritized rapid industrial growth, emphasizing order and consistency in both work and daily life. In his book "Heroes and Toilers," Cheehyung Harrison Kim provides an unparalleled account of life and labor in postwar North Korea. Through meticulous research, Kim explores how the state pursued progress through industrialization while ordinary people resisted and challenged these efforts.

Kim argues that work played a crucial role in state control, surpassing coercion or violence as a means of governance. Industrial labor in North Korea was characterized by repetitive tasks, mass mobilization, the celebration of labor heroes, and the insistence on the convergence of living and working. Workers employed various strategies to challenge and redefine state power, such as arriving late to work, switching jobs, engaging in conflicts with their bosses, and participating in the black market. They also followed approved paths to secure their livelihoods, resolve conflicts, and seek happiness.

"Heroes and Toilers" is a groundbreaking analysis of postwar North Korea that avoids the pitfalls of exoticism and exceptionalism. By presenting a nuanced and empathetic portrayal of ordinary people's experiences, Kim offers a fresh perspective on North Korea's historical development. The book challenges prevailing narratives and provides a more comprehensive understanding of the country's complex history and social dynamics.

In conclusion, "Heroes and Toilers" is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of postwar North Korea. Through its detailed account of life and labor, the book sheds light on the roles of governance and resistance, and offers a new perspective on the country's historical development. Cheehyung Harrison Kim's groundbreaking analysis provides valuable insights into the lives of ordinary people and their struggles in a society governed by strict authoritarianism.

Weight: 432g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231185318