Economy & Trade - Korea Economic Institute of America

Kim Jong Un’s 2019 New Year’s Speech: An Economic Perspective

Despite the positive tone and candidness, Kim Jong Un's new year's address is ultimately disappointing since he gives little indication that real reforms are in...

William Brown

January 2, 2019

Analysis

How Marketization Changed Ground Transportation in North Korea

North Koreans who were struggling to overcome the economic crisis began marketization and developed and business vehicles called ‘servi-cha.’

Yonoho Kim

December 26, 2018

Analysis

Kim’s post-Singapore Economy—Something from Nothing Isn’t Working

Pyongyang's promise of prosperity runs up against hard realities that even the Worker's Party cannot deny. With little changes to the broken economic structure, time...

William Brown

December 21, 2018

Analysis

Better Together: South Korea’s “New Southern Policy” and the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy”

New strategies from Seoul and Washington for engaging with Southeast and South Asia are also creating new opportunities to further expand the relationship.

Kyle Ferrier

December 18, 2018

Analysis

U.S.-Korea Trade Imbalance Continues to Dramatically Decline

The U.S. trade deficit through October with the world expanded by 11 percent, but Korea bucked this trend by declining 22 percent to just $15.1...

Phil Eskeland

December 6, 2018

Analysis

Why are there Fewer South Koreans Studying in the United States?

While Korea remains the third largest source of foreign students enrolled at U.S. colleges, the number of Korean students in the U.S. declined by 7...

Phil Eskeland

November 26, 2018

Analysis

How is the Government Handling Korea’s Love of Plastic?

South Korea’s Ministry of Environment (MOE) has taken steps to reduce plastic waste. However, questions remain on how prudent its policies have been.

Sang Hyun Back

October 31, 2018

Analysis

South Korea and the Next Financial Crisis

South Korea faces internal and external risks to its economy that cannot be mitigated without significant reforms and international cooperation

Kyle Ferrier

October 25, 2018

Analysis

Korea Deserves Clarity from the U.S. Regarding a Tariff Exemption on Autos

There are no public reports that an assurance was given to South Korea that the U.S. would exempt Korea from higher tariffs in imported autos.

Phil Eskeland

September 28, 2018

Analysis

Tertiary Impact of Higher U.S. Tariffs Imposed on China

Higher U.S. tariffs on Chinese products leave Korea’s economy vulnerable to this trade fight because many Chinese products incorporate parts from Korea.

Phil Eskeland

September 20, 2018

Analysis

The Young Marshall’s Long Hot Summer

Let’s examine the North Korean economic scene in the hot Korean summer of 2018 to see if we can get hints at Kim Jong-un’s thinking.

William Brown

September 5, 2018

Analysis

U.S.-Korea Trade Imbalance Continues to Dramatically Decline

The U.S. trade deficit through October with the world expanded by 11 percent, but Korea bucked this trend by declining 22 percent to just $15.1...

Phil Eskeland

September 5, 2018

Analysis

What Does the New NAFTA Agreement Mean for Korean Auto Makers?

The initial agreement announced to revise NAFTA includes proposed changes to automobile trade in North America that have implications for Hyundai and Kia.

Troy Stangarone

August 30, 2018

Analysis

The Challenges of a Second Minimum Wage Increase in South Korea

The Korean government announced on July 14 that it will raise the minimum wage next year by 10.9% to 8350 won ($7.40), following a 16.9%...

Suyeon Ham

August 15, 2018

Analysis

U.S. Merchandise Trade Deficit with South Korea Continues to Decline

While America’s overall merchandise trade deficit went up by 6.7 percent for the first six months of this year, it declined 23 percent with South...

Phil Eskeland

August 3, 2018

Analysis