Asia

This paper aims to trace the major changes that took place in the Korean housing market and the housing finance system during the past decade, and also to offer an…

Rocky roads conjure images of pitfalls and jarring bumps on a tortuous journey toward some desired destination, without assurance that some calamity will not bar the way to the hoped-for…

Between winning the election in December 2007 and taking office in February 2008, Lee Myungbak and his administration sketched out a massive reform program that would potentially affect every aspect…

The year 2008 saw a reversal of a long-lasting policy constellation in the international community visà- vis the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea). South Korea, for 10 years…

Despite being industrial powerhouses, Korea and Japan are both resource-poor nations with limited domestic sources of energy. Powering their economies required both to develop supply chains for fossil fuels, nuclear…

In 2023, KEI has set out on its “Rethinking Korea initiative,” which explores the evolution of U.S.-Korea relations, Korea’s place in the world, and rapid changes in Korean society itself.…

In 2023, KEI has set out on its “Rethinking Korea initiative,” which explores the evolution of U.S.-Korea relations, Korea’s place in the world, and rapid changes in Korean society itself.…

In 2023, KEI has set out on its “Rethinking Korea initiative,” which explores the evolution of U.S.-Korea relations, Korea’s place in the world, and rapid changes in Korean society itself.…

What Happened Last week, South Korea’s top policymakers discussed plans for dealing with the country’s low birth rate and the falling size of the country’s working-age population. One proposed measure calls for extending after-school childcare services to encourage mothers to focus more on work. However, parents and teachers’ groups are criticizing the government’s plan saying what is really needed…

What Happened Shipping terminals in Busan are struggling to find cargo space for their clients because global carriers are prioritizing goods from China’s factory belt over those from South Korea. The trade disruption caused by the pandemic led to a reduction in the number of available shipping containers in Asia. The lack of shipping containers is especially hitting smaller…

What Happened With increased financial digitization, Korean banks are shutting down their brick and mortar stores around the country. Throughout the pandemic, the elderly have struggled to access basic items such as masks using digital tools. More recently, their inability to quickly claim leftover vaccines through an online system left them at a disadvantage compared to the younger, tech-savvy population. Implications:…

Earlier this week, the North Korean Foreign Ministry released an article entitled “‘Humanitarian Aid’ Should Not Be Abused For Sinister Political Purpose.”  The article was given wide circulation—released by the Foreign Ministry and also the official press agency KCNA.  In a country where the media is rigidly controlled by the regime, the release of such…