• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.153-166
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• 2023

Purpose - This research empirically analyzes the influence of economic policy uncertainty and free trade agreements (FTAs) on bilateral trade volumes between Korea and its trading partners. The study investigates whether fluctuations in the Economic Policy Uncertainty Index (EPUI) for both Korea and its trading partners significantly impact trade volumes and whether the implementation of FTAs mitigates these effects. Design/methodology - The study employs dynamic panel data analysis using the system generalized method of moments (system GMM) estimation method to achieve its research objectives. It utilizes country-month-level panel data, including the EPUI, trade volume between Korea and its trading partner countries, and other pertinent variables. The use of system GMM allows for the control of potential endogeneity issues and the incorporation of country-specific and time-specific effects. Findings - The analysis yields significant results regarding the impact of economic policy uncertainty on Korea's exports and imports, particularly before the implementation of FTAs. An increase in the EPUI of trading partners leads to a notable increase in Korea's exports to them. Conversely, an increase in Korea's EPUI negatively affects its imports from trading partners. However, post-FTA implementation, the influence of each country's EPUI on trade volume is neutralized, with no significant difference observed. Originality/value - This research contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the interaction effects between economic policy uncertainty and FTAs on bilateral trade volumes. The study's uniqueness lies in its examination of how FTAs mitigate the impact of economic uncertainty on trade relations between countries. The findings underscore the importance of trade agreements as mechanisms to address economic risks and promote international trade relations. In a world where global market uncertainties persist, these insights can aid policymakers in Korea and other countries in enhancing their trade cooperation strategies and navigating challenges posed by evolving economic landscapes.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.343-359
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• 2014

This study investigates how cultural differences between countries affect bilateral trade volumes, using Hofstede's cultural index that reflects nations' cultural characteristics. Empirical analyses of the impacts of Hofstede's five cultural characteristics on bilateral trade volumes are conducted either in each separate equation or simultaneously. Bilateral trade data of OECD countries plus China as of year 2010 is used for regression analysis on gravity model. Regression results from individual equation for each cultural index variable show tthe smaller the index gaps of power distances and uncertainty avoidance among countries, the larger bilateral trade volumes. On the contrary, the larger the index gaps of long-term orientation among countries, the larger bilateral trade volumes. If five Hofstede cultural indexes are regressed in a single equation, however, only variables of power distance and long-term orientation are significant. The analysis largely confirms that bilateral trade among countries with similar culture have much potrential to grow. It implies that policy actions for cultural proximity are very important for furthering bilateral trade.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.47-72
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• 2016

The Government of Korea has always focused on developing and maintaining a surplus on the balance of payments as a successful trade policy. The focus should now be on spatial information hiding, revealing patterns in trade activities that enable viewing trade in a more sophisticated manner. This study utilizes trade statistical data such as the United States-South Korea imports and exports from 2003 to 2015 officially released by the two countries. It allows us to analyze and extract the spatial information pertaining to the origin, transit, and destination. First, in the case of export data to the United States, the origin of the trade goods has expanded and decentralized from the metropolitan area. With regard to transit, in 2003, most of the exported goods were shipped by ocean vessels and arrived at the ports on the western coast of the United States. However, trade patterns have changed over the 12-year period and now more of that trade has moved to the southern ports of the United States. In terms of destination, California and Texas were importing goods from South Korea. With the development of the automotive industry in Georgia and Alabama, these two states also imported huge volumes of automobile parts. Second, in case of import data, most imported goods from the United States originated from California and Texas. In this case, 40% of goods were shipped by air freight and arrived at the Incheon-Seoul International Airport; most ocean freight was handled at the Port of Busan. The purpose of this study is to decompose the spatial information from the trade statistics data between Korea and the United States and to depict visualized bilateral trade structure by origin, transit, and destination.