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The Korea Times

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Columnists

Troy Stangarone

State visit consolidates economic vision for alliance

In recent years, the approach to joint statements and the balance of issues has changed at U.S.-Korea summits. The joint statements became more detailed. Economic issues were given more weight in the relationship and North Korea became less prominent.

2023-05-08 16:30

The US-Korea alliance at 70

For more than seven decades the U.S.-Korea alliance has provided peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. It is one of the most successful alliances of the post-World War II period and has been a focal point for what has become a robust and wide-ranging partnership. It is a moment well worth celebrating and one that the United States and Korea will mark with a state visit in Washington, D.C. later this month. But it is also a moment for pondering the future of the relationship.

2023-04-10 16:47

Artificial intelligence and the future of the Korean economy

Manufacturing has historically been one of the keys to Korea's economic success. Korean firms have moved up the value chain to become world-class manufacturers in high-value sectors such as semiconductors, automobiles, consumer electronics and shipbuilding.

2023-03-12 16:50

Can Korea become a green energy powerhouse?

Late last year, Korea released its first Indo-Pacific strategy. The initial commentary on the strategy often focused on issues of the great power competition or whether the document had mentioned China enough. While the development of Indo-Pacific strategies by countries in Asia, North America, and Europe is being driven by the emergence of a new great power rivalry, the most interesting part of Korea's strategy may be the section on climate change and energy security and what that means for its emerging clean tech industry.

2023-02-09 17:00

Prospects for fixing the Inflation Reduction Act

Since its passage in August, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has been a significant source of tension between the United States and Korea. While designed to reduce U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases by nearly 40 percent by 2030, the tools the Act uses to promote the domestic sale of electric vehicles (EVs) to achieve those objectives have caused concern in Korea and among other U.S. trading partners

2023-01-11 16:50

Managing relations with China

I'm often asked how South Korea should manage relations with China. It's a complex question. One that often requires deeper answers than can come in an interview or on the sidelines of a conference. Given that complexity, it is perhaps better to think about what are the key issues that should be considered when thinking about managing relations with China rather than what is the best specific policy approach.

2022-12-08 17:03

Going nuclear wouldn't be without costs

Should South Korea acquire its own nuclear weapons? This question tends to arise periodically whenever Pyongyang significantly ups the pace of its nuclear and ballistic missile tests. With North Korea growing increasingly provocative with its ballistic missile tests and adopting a policy that allows for preemptive nuclear strikes, it is not surprising that the issue has surfaced again. However, any debate should include a robust discussion of the cost of going nuclear.

2022-11-10 13:34

Potential for US-Korea-EU trilateral cooperation

Earlier this month, the Korea Economic Institute, along with partners in South Korea and the European Union held a conference at George Washing University to discuss the potential for trilateral trade cooperation between the United States, South Korea and the European Union. While there are obstacles to deeper U.S.-Korea-EU cooperation, the general consensus was that there are real opportunities.

2022-10-19 14:02

Complexity of Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has complicated U.S.-Korea relations and spurred accusations by one senior Korean official that the new electric vehicle requirements are a “betrayal.” However, the IRA is also a complex piece of legislation designed significantly to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and reshape supply chains for critical minerals.

2022-09-15 15:54

A more complicated Korea-China relationship

Later this month, South Korea and China will mark the 30th anniversary of formal relations. Normally this would be a time for diplomatic pleasantries, but the anniversary comes at a complex time for the relationship.

2022-08-18 17:00

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