Clearly the participation of the North in the PyeongChang Games has benefits for both North and South since both have made a major effort to bring it about.
While the trade actions being taken by the Trump Administration ostensibly target China, they disproportionately hit South Korea.
Korea certainly has interests in subject-areas at the WEF, particularly regarding its efforts to incorporate the Fourth Industrial Revolution into policy.
Dangerously high levels of particulate matter in the air prompted emergency measures from the Seoul city government this week.
In the end, Prime Minister Abe Shinzo attending the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games would be a significant win for Japan.
China and South Korea reached an agreement in November to restore normal economic relations. That no longer appears to be the case.
Last week, two minor South Korean political parties, the People’s Party and the Bareun Party, announced an agreement to merge into a new centrist party.
While few observers doubt the significance of the Olympics agreement, many disagree about what it will mean for the future of inter-Korean relations.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s agenda of public sector-led economic and social reform hinges on creating 810,000 government jobs.
As we look ahead to what might occur in 2018 we should also consider how key events from 2017 will continue to shape the year ahead.