[This Week's Books] 'Hanbando War Scenario' and Others

Korean Peninsula War Scenario

As U.S. deterrence weakens in the international community, the influence of China and Russia on the Korean Peninsula is increasing. Correspondingly, concerns about war are growing, and the author warns that if war breaks out, North Korea is highly likely to detonate tactical nuclear weapons on the West Sea Five Islands. Tactical nukes are highly destructive but cause limited damage, rendering traditional proportional response or escalation prevention strategies ineffective. The book introduces provocation scenarios using small drones learned from the Ukraine war and cyber warfare capabilities ranked fourth in the world. (Written by Choi Yunsik | Leadersbook)

History of Economics

Human economic activity, which began with barter in primitive times, gradually advanced as civilization developed. The emergence of currency, the establishment of mass production systems through the Industrial Revolution, and the advent of free trade across borders are explored. The book surveys the flow of modern economics shaped through dark periods such as world wars and the Great Depression. It also introduces economists who established important concepts, principles, and theories in economics. By analyzing the impact of historical turning points on the economy, it seeks solutions to current economic challenges. (Written by Niall Kishtainy | Soso Books)

What Does Trump Want from Kim Jong-un?

The author, who previously expanded economic perspectives through "The Power of Geopolitics," now focuses on the Korean Peninsula. This book analyzes the negotiation scenarios between U.S. President Trump, who succeeded in re-election by shouting "America First," and North Korea. Contrary to the common belief that North Korea wants the withdrawal of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, Kim Jong-un actually expressed that they need U.S. troops for protection, fearing China might treat them like Tibet or Xinjiang. Considering such practical international relations, the book explores various possibilities the U.S. might present to North Korea. (Written by Kim Donggi | Haenam)

What I Think When Writing Novels

This book compiles interviews conducted from 2012 to 2022 at the historic Paris bookstore "Shakespeare and Company," beloved by lovers of literature and art. It features stories from notable 21st-century authors such as Nobel Prize winner Annie Ernaux, Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead, Prix Goncourt winner Le?la Slimani, and Man Booker Prize winner Marlon James. It also includes nonfiction writers like Carlo Rovelli, Jeff Dyer, and Olivia Laing. The book delivers serious and humorous conversations about books, literature, art, and life. (Written by Adam Biles | Open Books)

24 Minutes

This geopolitical thriller novel vividly depicts the horrors that would unfold if a nuclear war broke out on Earth. The author, a Pulitzer Prize finalist with a background as an investigative journalist, describes the story second by second immediately after a nuclear missile is launched on U.S. territory. Drawing on exclusive interviews with presidential advisors, the Secretary of Defense, nuclear scientists, and the CIA director, and tracking state secrets declassified after 70 years, the book realistically portrays the vague speculations about the horrors of nuclear war. (Written by Annie Jacobson | Munhakdongne)

Palo Alto, the Shadow of Capitalism

This book covers the history of Silicon Valley in the United States. It details how, despite slower development compared to the East Coast, it established itself as a powerful force in the economic war. It closely examines how rapidly developed technologies through World Wars I and II connected numerous talents and capital to achieve economic prosperity. A highlight of the book is tracing the origins of major global companies such as Hewlett-Packard (HP), General Electric (GE), Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, and Facebook. (Written by Malcolm Harris | Maeil Business Newspaper)