South Korea's Economy Research Articles

Impact of information publicity on Korean residents’ E-waste recycling intentions: Applying the norm activation model and theory of planned behavior

The escalating annual growth rate of electronic waste, commonly referred to as “e-waste,” is currently between 3 % and 5 %, indicating a rapidly increasing solid waste stream. In 2019, South Korea generated 15.8 kg of e-waste per capita. The expansion of South Korea's economy, driven by technological advancement, is a key contributor to this surge in e-waste production. This study examined the impact of information publicity on South Korean residents' e-waste recycling intentions analytically with a quantitative approach. It expanded the norm activation model and theory of planned behavior by incorporating external information elements, including information publicity, in an analysis of 500 responses from the mainland and Jeju Island regarding residents' e-waste recycling intentions and behaviors. The model was validated with partial least squares structural equation modeling via the WarpPLS approach, which is well suited to a model using moderating variables, and the analysis was conducted with WarpPLS 7.0 software. While information publicity did not directly influence residents' intentions to recycle e-waste, it indirectly affected them through two mediating variables: recycling attitudes and moral norms. Additionally, information publicity directly impacted perceived behavioral control. However, perceived behavioral control was not a mediating factor between information publicity and recycling intention. Hence, although people were aware of recycling infrastructure convenience, this awareness did not change their intentions. Current e-waste recycling information and publicity campaigns may be insufficient; the government should improve its publicity events and increase their frequency to encourage effective recycling behavior.

Activating Distributed Energy in the Regional Circular Economy in South Korea: The Case of Local New Power Projects in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan

Activating Distributed Energy in the Regional Circular Economy in South Korea: The Case of Local New Power Projects in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan

From boom to transformation: assessing the paradigm shift in public policies for the Social Economy in South Korea

ABSTRACT This study examines the evolution of public policies for the social economy (SE) sector in South Korea. By employing qualitative analysis methods, the study comprehensively assesses 1,036 public policy measures, covering various types of SE organizations. The findings indicate a paradigm shift towards transformative policies, reflecting the movement into a new generation of SE policy. It also highlights the emergence of ‘New Public Governance’, characterized by pluralistic approaches in public management. This study enhances the understanding of government-led policies in the SE and their potential impacts, offering valuable insights for policymakers.

New policy framework for circular economy in South Korea: Achieving both management and chemical recycling of polymeric waste via pyrolysis reaction

New policy framework for circular economy in South Korea: Achieving both management and chemical recycling of polymeric waste via pyrolysis reaction

A study on a political system for the advance in green hydrogen technology: a South Korea case study

BackgroundHydrogen energy, a type of renewable energy if produced without fossil fuel, has a critical issue in that most of it is still produced from carbon footprint heavy industries such as the fossil fuel industry. It is imperative to produce hydrogen from renewable sources on a global level so that the carbon footprint can be curbed. South Korea, along with other global economies such as the US, the EU, Japan and China, has shown its resolution to build a hydrogen economy with green hydrogen produced only from renewable sources. Since 2017, South Korea has been actively shaping its political actions and policies to develop the necessary technology for this transition. This study focuses on South Korea's actions and policies, using a political system model to better understand the shift towards a green hydrogen economy.ResultsThe analysis shows that budgeting for R&D projects has had a significant impact on scientific breakthroughs, advancements, and product development in the field of green hydrogen in South Korea. These actions have also affected market performance, resulting in increased interest and investment in green hydrogen. Although there have been significant advancements in the field of green hydrogen in South Korea, the current state of technology remains in its early stages of development. Most of the breakthroughs have been in water-to-hydrogen and biomass-to-hydrogen technologies. However, these technologies show promise as the foundation of a thriving hydrogen economy in South Korea. The analysis also indicates a strong market demand for green hydrogen technology. To support these efforts, the political system has focused its financial support on water-to-hydrogen technology and projects at the TRL 1–3 stage.ConclusionsThe study concludes that ongoing financial and political support is necessary for areas showing outstanding performance to vitalize the hydrogen economy and facilitate the transition to a green hydrogen society in the future. Additionally, a robust legal framework is crucial to ensure steady growth of the green hydrogen economy, similar to those in other major hydrogen economies such as the US and Germany. This study serves as a case study of South Korea, showcasing the impact of political actions on the advancement of scientific technology.

산업연관분석을 이용한 수소경제의 경제적 파급 효과 분석

산업연관분석을 이용한 수소경제의 경제적 파급 효과 분석

Exploring the Making of the Economy in South Korea: A Venue for Sociology and Science and Technology Studies

Development is a strategic research site to initiate productive conversation between sociology and Science and Technology Studies (STS), because, on one hand, development is a significant social change process, and simultaneously, on the other hand, it is a “contact zone” where diverse social practices from the West and the Global South meet and negotiate with one another. With the case study of the development in South Korea, this project will demonstrate how postcolonial studies of science and technology offer opportunities for innovations in development studies. The lens of STS contributes to elucidating how each development practice could be implemented and compete and negotiate in constituting “development assemblage” in South Korea.

Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among Asian migrant workers in South Korea.

The burden of non-communicable diseases is rapidly increasing among young adults in middle- and low-income countries. Asian migrant workers continue to be a significant contributor to South Korea's economy; however, their cardiovascular health is neglected. We explored the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among Asian migrant workers in South Korea. Cross-sectional survey, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure measurements, and biochemical tests including triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, and C-reactive protein levels were conducted in 141 Asian migrant workers in South Korea. The mean age of the participants was 31.3 (5.6) years. Of the participants, 14.8% were current smokers, and 47.5% consumed alcohol. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 32.4%. The prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia were 51.2% and 64.6%, respectively. Of the participants, 98.5% had an increased waist circumference; elevated HbA1C and C-reactive protein was seen in 20.9% and 4.3%, respectively. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 5.5%. Clustering of two or more risk factors was seen in 45% of the participants. Factors associated with a high risk of cardiovascular diseases (clustering of two or more risk factors) were age (odds ratio 1.16, p < 0.01) and smoking (4.98, p < 0.05). The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was alarmingly high among Asian migrant workers employed in South Korea. Efforts to mitigate and eliminate those risk factors are urgently required.

Rise of the social?: Socialization of care and gendered social economy in South Korea

Rise of the social?: Socialization of care and gendered social economy in South Korea

The history of state-corporate relations in South Korea

The purpose of the study is to present the history of relations between the state and big business (chaebol). The characteristic features of the change in the economic life of the Republic of Korea, related to scientific and technical progress, revolutionary processes and global challenges of the world economy are analyzed. The characteristic features of the South Korean economy are analyzed, the methods used by the state to overcome economic shocks, the role of government assistance in the field of corporate nationalization is highlighted. The methodology is based on general scientific special research methods, among which it is necessary to distinguish the dialectical method of scientific knowledge and general scientific methods of knowledge. A systematic approach was used to substantiate the patterns of development of the world economy, structural analysis (for the analysis of transformational changes in the country’s economy)..Scientific novely. The article shows that the economy of South Korea survived the economic depression, and transnational processes accelerate the transition and the formation of a total digital economy in South Korea not only in production processes, but also in all spheres of Korean society’s life and its adaptation during the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It was determined that throughout history the government of the Republic of Korea interfered in the economic activities of the state, trying to control the economy. Conclusions. It is proved that the processes of corporate transnationalization of the Korean economy played an important role in its modern formation, competitive leadership and entry into the global high-tech business environment, which resulted in the country’s rapid transition to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (digital revolution) with the integration of the latest digital technologies and their subsequent adaptation not only in the automation of production processes with minimal human intervention, but also in all spheres of life in Korean society.It is indicated that in order to apply the experience of South Korea to Ukraine, the following problems should be solved: lack of labor force reserve. a significant level of budget expenditures for social protection, an aging population, a low level of savings and a low probability of forced mobilization of funds, the political unacceptability of dictatorship and the subsequent merger of the state and big business.

Women in the Sky: Gender and Labor in the Making of Modern Korea

Women in the Sky: Gender and Labor in the Making of Modern Korea

The Influence of Sino-US Trade War on China-ROK Relations

For China and the United States, South Korea is an important trading partner, and it is also highly concerned about the Sino-US trade war. Because South Korea's economy relies heavily on the external environment, it has also been impacted to a certain extent by the Sino-US trade war. Although some studies believe that the Sino-US trade war has brought new development opportunities to South Korea, from a practical perspective, South Korea's gross domestic product, export trade, and stock market have been greatly impacted, especially by the intensified competition among big countries and the reshaping of global value chains brought about by the Sino-US trade war. With the intensification of the Sino-US trade war, both China and South Korea should think about how to reduce the influence of Sino-US relations and maintain the stability of Sino-Korean relations. Therefore, South Korea needs to actively adjust its economic policies, speed up the upgrading of its economic cooperation with China, take the initiative to seize the American market, and play a certain role in promoting regional multilateral economic cooperation and economic and trade diversification, especially avoiding taking sides between China and the United States. China, on the other hand, should strengthen its economic and political cooperation with South Korea so as to alleviate other countries' worries about Sino-US competition and the rise of China and thus realise the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-South Korea relations.

Evaluating the sustainability of the hydrogen economy using multi-criteria decision-making analysis in Korea

South Korea announced a hydrogen economy roadmap and hydrogen regulations aligned with its decarbonization plan. However, the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of the hydrogen economy in South Korea has not been thoroughly studied. Under the Energy Trilemma framework, we compared the positive and negative impacts of hydrogen with other energy carriers, including nuclear, coal, gas, and renewables. The selected evaluation criteria included the energy return on energy investment, greenhouse gas emissions, levelized cost of electricity, import dependency, and long-term energy storage. As a result, we argue that green hydrogen improves environmental sustainability and energy security by reducing the carbon emission intensity of the energy sector and energy dependency on imported sources. We propose three critical policy implications to maximize the benefits of hydrogen while minimizing its negative economic impact. First, the rapid expansion of renewables, particularly large-scale wind power, is required. Second, clean hydrogen portfolio standards must be aligned with South Korea's decarbonization plan. Third, governmental investment in research and development activities and demonstration projects will reduce hydrogen production costs by maximizing the utilization of renewable resources.

The Main Stages Of Building A Sustainable Economy In South Korea

The article discusses the main stages of creating and implementing a strategy for building a sustainable economy in the Republic of Korea. The scope of implementation of the principles of sustainable development and the role of the state in this process are analyzed. The financial and institutional drivers of sustainable growth of South Korean economy are determined. The objectives and target indicators for the implementation of the New Green Course in South Korea for the period 2020-2025 are shown.

Editor's Introduction

Editor's Introduction

The rise and development of the platform economy in South Korea

AbstractNoting the growing importance of online platforms, this paper discusses the rise and development of the platform economy in Korea, defining platforms as a business model and arguing that the platform economy requires financing, an environment for Internet use and users, services, and content. Many believe that the platform economy's development is a natural outcome of technical innovation. However, the platform economy was created by the interplay of government and corporate strategies under certain historical conditions. In Korea, the platform economy developed after the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Presenting the IT industry and venture businesses as a solution to the crisis, the government helped finance venture companies through intensive investment and enhanced the strategy of building information and communication infrastructure. Platform companies suffered from the lack of content and services to provide; however, they quickly built web portal platforms with Korean specificities by copying and benchmarking personal computer communication services.

Future Scenarios of the Data-Driven Healthcare Economy in South Korea.

Although data-based healthcare innovation has been spotlighted in South Korea in recent years, previous studies have made little effort to systematically predict various possible future outcomes in the data-driven healthcare economy. This study investigated possible future such scenarios in South Korea by conducting a general morphological analysis (GMA). Seven key factors were identified that will drive the data-driven healthcare economy: the acceptability of data utilization, the level of data literacy, the status of healthcare data regulation, the healthcare data system, medical costs, the convergence of ICT and biotechnology, and the utilization of data in medical services. The main findings are as follows: Four possible scenarios for the data-driven healthcare economy in South Korea were identified. The first scenario suggested mostly optimistic prospects and close associations between factorial values on the various spectra. The second scenario was similar to the first one, except for medical costs. However, the third scenario contrasted with the first, as it entailed relatively pessimistic factorial values. Finally, most of the elements of the current healthcare status quo were maintained in the fourth scenario. This study makes not only an academic contribution, but also has policy implications based on the four scenarios.

A South Korean Experience in COVID - 19 Management: Impact and Policy Responses

COVID -19 pandemic has created the greatest economic crisis since the second world war. The main objective of this article is to analyse the impact of COVID-19 in the economy of South Korea. The article also looks at the various economic packages introduced by the government of South Korea to protect the people particularlylow-income families, informal-sector employees, part-timers, women, and the disabled. The article concludes that the country's response tools and strategies in containing COVID-19 have been exemplary in the global community. The economic packages have been successful in creating jobs, boosting consumption and promoting investment. The modality of proper and effective cooperation and coordination among the levels of government and between the public and private sector played the vital role.

An Examination of India-South Korea Bilateral Investment Relations

Foreign investment has accelerated at an incredible rate over the last quarter-century, and alterations in the flow of this investment are increasingly changing the global economic environment. International investors provide new markets not only new capital, technology, competitive spirit, and ideas, but also additional jobs. For India's economic development, foreign direct investment (FDI) has been a substantial non-debt financial resource and a key growth engine. South Korea's economy is one of Asia's most promising and lively. The country's stability, quick growth rates, strong manufacturing base, export focus, and availability of superior technology make it an appealing investment destination. India's permitted cumulative investments in South Korea from April 1996 to December 2019 was US$ 593.9 million, according to data from the Ministry of Finance, Government of India (GOI), and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). According to the FDI Markets database, India was the 15th largest investor in South Korea between 2009 and 2019, with 14 Indian businesses investing US$ 913 million in 17 FDI projects, resulting in the creation of 5,519 jobs. As a result, the current study examines India-South Korea's bilateral investment ties and looks ahead to possible areas of cooperation in the future between the two countries' investment relations.

Research and Development Investment and Collaboration Framework for the Hydrogen Economy in South Korea

South Korea developed its hydrogen strategies to achieve carbon neutrality and dominate the hydrogen economy amidst, and with the impetus, of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The government strives toward the goal via continuous investment in green hydrogen technologies, as well as strategic collaborations. To facilitate the transition into the hydrogen economy, this study presents a research and development (R&amp;D) investment and collaboration framework as a national strategy. The framework offers abundant information to elucidate the technology, R&amp;D spectrum, and regional dimensions of the strategy. Furthermore, the proposed framework was applied to the Korean hydrogen economy comprising 955 nationally funded projects worth USD 565.7 million. The statuses and trends of the government’s investment in nationally funded research projects are illustrated with regard to the value chains of the hydrogen economies of 16 regions, as well as nine technology clusters relating to the hydrogen economy, thereby determining the research organizations that played crucial roles in each cluster of the 16 regions between 2015 and 2020. The results indicate that the research organizations in Daejeon acquired the highest government R&amp;D funding in many hydrogen-economy-related research fields, and that an R&amp;D spectrum-based research/strategic collaboration is required to accomplish specialized complexes in the regions.