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The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

SCMP
Asia

The Korea Times

Opinion

Columnists

Troy Stangarone

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

Economic security and resiliency

Earlier this month, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages the electricity for most of the state of Texas, requested customers voluntarily reduce power consumption to avoid rolling blackouts due to an extreme heat wave.

2022-07-21 16:31

What to do about Russian fossil fuel imports?

In recent weeks, Gazprom has cut the flow of gas into Europe along the Nord Stream 1 pipeline by 60 percent, while also cutting off some of the countries that refused Russia's demand to pay in rubles.

2022-06-21 16:24

Economic security needs to work both ways

In the lead up to Joe Biden's recent trip to South Korea, Washington and Seoul agreed to establish a dialogue channel on economic security. For much of the last few years, the United States has largely focused on how to improve its own economic security. But for the new initiative to succeed it will need to work both ways.

2022-05-26 16:30

What Yoon Suk-yeol can learn from Trump's presidency

When Yoon Suk-yeol is sworn in on May 10, he will assume the presidency with little political experience. In many cases, his advisers will certainly give him good advice, but as he prepares to take office, President-elect Yoon should take a moment to consider what he can learn from Donald Trump's presidency in the United States.

2022-05-02 16:24

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Top 10 Stories

1	Over 76% of South Koreans support development of nuclear weapons

2	Koreans reluctant to unmask on first day of eased indoor mask rule

3	ANALYSISPandemic awakens demand for data-driven automation

4	Stock-leveraged investments rise again amid bullish KOSPI

5	Busan seeks to take lead in expo race after BIE's April visit

6	Korean Lunar New Year vs. Chinese Lunar New Year

7	Retailers seek to bolster beauty product sales as lifting of mask mandate approaches

8	SPC opens 120th Paris Baguette store in US

9	Biohealth geared for growth

10	NK slams NATO chief's Seoul visit as 'prelude to war'

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