SUMMARY
Recently, there have been a number of researches that evaluate the development of Korean industrial relations since 1987 as well as researches that assess the problems of industrial relations in large-firm sector. Yet, there have been few studies that systematically analyze the situation from a broader comparative perspective using advanced analytical tools. Also. if the Korean case is considered in comparative studies, it is usually treated as an interesting side-case to mention, and as a consequence, the unique conundrum of Korea industrial relations has not yet been analyzed throughly.
In this context, this study aims top fully and accurately depict the reality of Korean industrial relations, divulging its peculiarities as well as commonalities it shares with other countries from multiple angles. Despite the varied perspectives and methodological approaches each author takes, there is a common thread that goes through all the chapters, which is the overarching view that industrial relations in Korea which have been dominated by large firms have gradually shifted from a model based on democratic voices to a model based on monopoly effects with some overlapping periods between 1987 and 1997.