Overview

This book provides a holistic analysis of South Korea’s strategic use of mega-events in its modern development. It examines the Summer Olympics (1988), the World Expo (1993), the FIFA World Cup (2002), and the Winter Olympics (2018) over the past 30 years of the country’s rapid growth, and across varying stages of economic and political development. It explains how mega-events helped to secure South Korea’s position on the international stage, boost nationalism, propel economic growth in export-oriented national companies, and build cities that accommodate – as well as represent – South Korea’s progress. It thereby highlights the broader implications for today’s global phenomenon of increasing reliance on mega-events as a catalyst for development, while the criticism that mega-events do more harm than good proliferates. The book is ideal for academics, policymakers, and those with an interest in mega-events and their role in the development of non-western countries.

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9781137531124

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“This book achieves its purpose of linking history of mega-events with national economic development … . By analyzing the costs and benefits of south Korea’s previously hosted mega-events, Mega-events and Mega-Ambitions is a worthwhile study that will help to contextualize the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics from historical, political, and economic perspectives.” (Thomas Fabian, Journal of Sport History, Vol. 45 (03), 2018)​

This book achieves its purpose of linking history of mega-events with national economic development ... . By analyzing the costs and benefits of south Korea's previously hosted mega-events, Mega-events and Mega-Ambitions is a worthwhile study that will help to contextualize the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics from historical, political, and economic perspectives. (Thomas Fabian, Journal of Sport History, Vol. 45 (03), 2018)

Author Information

Yu-Min Joo is an Assistant Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. She published several journal articles on the development and policy issues of East Asian cities, and is currently writing a book titled Megacity Seoul: Urbanization and the Development of Modern South Korea. Yooil Bae is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the School of Social Sciences, Singapore Management University. He published on comparative politics and policy, urban political economy, and environmental politics in East Asia, in journals such as International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Pacific Review, Democratization, and Pacific Affairs.  Eva Kassens-Noor is an Associate Professor of Urban and Transport Planning in the School of Planning, Design, and Construction (SPDC) at Michigan State University, USA. She holds a joint appointment in the Global Urban Studies Program. She is the author of Planning Olympic Legacies: Transport Dreams and Urban Realities (Routledge). 

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