In her recent book, ‘The Capitalist Unconscious: From Korean Unification to Transnational Korea’, professor of sociology Hyun-ok Park, of Toronto's York University, demonstrates that the unseen currents of capitalism, rather than territorial integration or family union, are driving a movement towards peninsular integration and a united Korea.

In this conversation, prior to her recent lecture at the University of Michigan’s Nam Center for Korean Studies, she discusses how migrant labor, identity politics, social activism and media spectacle are each playing a part in the gradual trend towards unification and why she sees the capitalist integration of the peninsula and its diaspora as a new democratic moment for the Korean people.

Music on this episode: Park In-Hee - 방랑자 (1976)

For more information on the University of Michigan's Nam Center for Korean Studies go to https://www.ii.umich.edu/ncks