In this book Judith Cherry analyses the impact of economic and cultural globalization on efforts to promote inward foreign direct investment (IFDI) in South Korea over the past four decades. The book traces the development of Korean IFDI policy from one of restriction and control to one of encouragement and promotion. Specifically, it focuses on the challenges inherent in reforming the ‘software’ of IFDI promotion (socio-cultural issues, mindsets and perceptions) as opposed to changing its ‘hardware’ (systems, laws and regulations). Although the Korean government has made sustained efforts over the past decade to enhance Korea’s attractions as a host for inward investment, it has faced significant challenges in improving Korea’s IFDI performance. The discussion in this book of the wide range of transparent and non-transparent barriers that continue to hamper efforts to promote inward investment draws not only on the Korean debate concerning strategies for maximizing the benefits of IFDI, but also on the assessment of the Korean business and investment environment revealed in interviews conducted with European investors and officials in Seoul. Foreign Direct Investment in Post-Crisis Korea will appeal to students and scholars of international business, economics and globalization, as well as those with a more general interest in Korean society.

Korea has played, and will increasingly play, an important role in the future development of the South East Asian region, including the expansion of regional economic cooperation and interregional trade. Indeed Korea has been a leading proponent of the idea of ASEAN+3. Clearer understanding of this economy, its major contemporary policy and reform issues and its future, are of particular interest from both regional and global perspectives.

This book examines Korea’s foreign direct investment policy dynamics and points out the importance of mutual synergy between multinational corporations and their host countries in a win-win framework and the increasing importance of this in a post-pandemic world. A multitude of case studies shows many of the business difficulties foreign investors in Korea face, and how the Foreign Investment Ombudsman has intervened to resolve each one. The book addresses Korea’s challenges and efforts to become a truly preferred FDI destination through active FDI inducement and effective aftercare services. Investigating the ambivalent attitude toward foreign direct investors and foreign migrants in an increasingly globalizing world, the author also analyses the issue of xenophobia. The book demonstrates empirically that appropriate and timely aftercare services can serve as not only a robust facilitator for cross-border investment but also a preventer of undesirable friction between foreign investors and host economies, before disputes become serious legal matters. Finally, it draws policy implications towards a liberal investment order post COVID-19. The book will be of interest to policymakers, investors, and researchers on Korean and East Asian economic studies, FDI promotion, and deregulation for better business environment.

South Korea: Challenging globalisation and the post-crisis reforms examines the major economic issues flowing from the Korean financial crisis of 1997 and covers such issues as industrial relations, macroeconomic sectors, the role of administrations, and corporates' globalisation process by over-expanded foreign direct investment. The chapters contained in this book are written by a wide variety of contributors, including a former government technocrat, president's advisory board member, plus leading Korean economy specialists. - Includes empirical surveys from the leading academics in Korea - Exclusively research methodology on each topic - First attempt to explain limited but historically important period economic policy

Addressing a previously ignored area, this text analyses two converging factors: globalisation and Korean foreign direct investment policy. It looks at the emergence of the Korean government's globalisation objectives, and at the response of the chaebol, the business groups that brought about their country's rapid industrialisation. The chapters reveal a complex story with political as well as economic dimensions. They also note the impact of the 1997 crisis, and the growing importance of inward investment. The book, therefore, covers developments in Korean economic policy from the Chun-Roh regime to the Kim Dae-Joong era.