KDI

This paper studies whether export diversification mitigated the negative effect of the global financial crisis on exports using the Korean case. Specifically, we use annual data on the exports of 24 Korean manufacturing industries from 2000 to 2016 and examine whether the negative effect of the crisis on exports was less prevalent in industries that were more diversified in terms of country and product. We also examine whether export competitiveness, as measured by the revealed comparative advantage index by industry, had a mitigating effect on trade during the crisis. In order to study these issues, we use panel regression with a fixed-effect model for 24 Korean manufacturing industries. From our empirical analysis, we find that country diversification weakened the negative impact of the global financial crisis on Korea’s exports, whereas neither product diversification nor export competitiveness did so.

This paper economically analyzes the benefits and concerns of the sharing economy and derives policy implications that could help to achieve the expected benefits and respond appropriately to any concerns. Primary benefits anticipated from the sharing economy are the creation of new transactions and promotional and market testing opportunities, and the main concerns include the crowding out of existing transactions as well as transaction and social risks. How these benefits and concerns are being realized in Korea is empirically examined by conducting a survey on participation experiences with the sharing economy. The sharing economy is expected to contribute to the enhancement of social welfare with its wide range of benefits if risk factors can be properly controlled. Accordingly, an institutional framework is needed to support the stable growth of the sharing economy, and the unique characteristics of non-professional, peer-to-peer transactions should be reflected in tandem with regulatory equity between existing and sharing economy suppliers. To do this, transaction-volume-based regulations are recommended. Furthermore, to secure regulatory effectiveness and to alleviate transaction risks, the pertinent obligations must be imposed on sharing platforms.

Since 2009, electricity consumption has developed a unique seasonal pattern in South Korea. Winter loads have sharply increased, and they eventually exceeded summer peaks. This trend reversal distinguishes these load patterns from those in the USA and the EU, where annual peaks are observed during the summer months. Using Levene’s test, we show statistical evidence of a rise in temperature but a decrease in variance over time regardless of the season. Despite the overall increase in the temperature, regardless of the season there should be another cause of the increased demand for electricity in winter. With the present study using data from 1991 to 2012, we provide empirical evidence that relatively low electricity prices regulated by the government have contributed significantly to the rapid upward change in electricity consumption, specifically during the winter months in the commercial sector in Korea.