The assessment of Park Chung-hee, seen as both a 'great leader' and a 'cruel dictator,' remains relevant 50 years after his rule. The newly published book 'The Ideology of Park Chung-hee' delves into the underlying thoughts and systemic structures that supported his figure instead of merely repeating the dichotomy of supporters and detractors. Authored by Hwang Byeong-joo, who has held prominent positions in historical research, the book aims to deconstruct the era and political grammar that made the name 'Park Chung-hee' possible.

The narrative traces Park’s life from his humble beginnings as the youngest child in a farming family, propelled by his mother's strong educational aspirations to attend school. With impressive grades and leadership skills, he consistently excelled and ruled over his peers during his early educational years. However, despite performing well in certain subjects, he struggled academically with teacher training subjects, ultimately choosing to pursue a military path instead, a choice reflected in his fascination with military hero narratives like Napoleon and Hitler.

Park's education at military academies in Manchuria and Japan laid the foundation for his authoritarian governance style that would later be defined as the 'Park Chung-hee regime.' Influenced by Japanese far-right fascism, militarism, elitism, and authoritarian power, the political mechanisms of 'Park Chung-hee politics' emerged during this formative period. His initial struggles post-liberation showcase a complex character who grappled with his identity in a newly liberated Korea, hinting at the turbulent political climate that would follow his eventual rise to power.