Namhee Lee

Namhee Lee is a Professor in the Department of Asian Languages & Cultures at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), specializing in Modern Korean History. Her work explores democracy movements, social memory, historical theory, and civil society in South Korea.

• Ph.D., Modern Korean History (University of Chicago, 2001)
• M.A., Modern Korean History (University of Chicago, 1990)
• B.A., Modern European History (University of Chicago, 1984)

Lee’s research focuses on the intersection of historical knowledge production, political representation, and cultural identity. She examines how civic movements, historical novels, films, and festivals shape public history and collective memory in South Korea.

Her publications analyze trends in South Korean democracy movements, labor-intellectual alliances, anti-communist discourse, and the role of cultural practices in protest. These works emphasize theoretical approaches to national identity, civil society, and social critique.

Contact: nlee@humnet.ucla.edu