In 2011, the Republic of Korea became one of only a handful of nations to pass the $1 threshold in total trade as Korean trade continued to expand an impressive rate despite continued troubles in the global economy. This year’s edition looks at a series of key international issues facing Korean policy makers in the years ahead.

South Korea is rapidly approaching the end of its current trade policy which has focused primarily on bilateral trade agreements with nations such as the United States, the EU, and the ongoing negotiations with China. The 2012 edition of Korea’s Economy looks at what might be the next steps for Korean trade policy.

With the euro crisis continuing in Europe, this year’s volume looks at what lessons Asian policy makers can learn from Europe when considering Asian integration. It also looks at one of the key components of the current administration’s “Global Korea” policy, development assistance.