Exploring Multifaceted Contradictions in Korean Contemporary History and Applying New Research Methods - Current Status and Prospects of Korean Contemporary History Research in 2022-2023

This paper is a review and introduction to some of the distinctive trends in Korean contemporary history research published in the period 2022-2023. The characteristics of research on Korean contemporary history in the period of 2022-2023 are, first, there has been a deepening of Cold War studies and the emergence of new research endeavors, such as Cold War cultural history, Cold War everyday life history, and Cold War memories. Second, studies have emerged that analyze the development process of Korean capitalism from multiple perspectives and critically reflect on historical meritocracy. Third, research on the history of minorities as socially discriminated groups and ecological environmental history that traces the historical nature of the climate crisis have emerged. Fourth, discussions on public history have been active, and research on regional history has been intensified. Fifth, discussions on digital historiography and empirical studies applying new research methods have also been submitted. The establishment of digital archives, the formation of big data on historical materials, and the development of artificial intelligence are triggering digital transformation of historical research and changing the research environment and research methodology.