RAND Research Topic: South Korea

Fiscal Consolidation and Budget Reform in Korea: The Role of the National Assembly

Jan 19, 2012

Budgetary pressures imposed by Korea's rapidly aging population and declining fertility rates underscore the urgency of a medium-term fiscal consolidation framework. The author presents a plan for fiscal consolidation and budget reform in which a new parliamentary budget process would be established, centered on a fiscally constrained budget resolution that would be scheduled for adoption prior to consideration of revenue or spending bills.

North Korea: Uncertain and Dangerous Times Ahead

Dec 21, 2011

With his father's support over the last year, Kim Jong-Un has tried to rapidly reshape the North Korean leadership structure, giving him many new subordinates who are untried and lacking experience. Some will clearly make mistakes, writes Bruce Bennett.

U.S. Prisoner of War, Detainee Operations Need More Advance Planning

Jun 9, 2011

Prisoner-of-war and detainee operations are a crucial component in the successful prosecution of a conflict — particularly in counterinsurgency operations — and should be upgraded to receive more attention and better advance preparation.

U.S. Prisoner of War, Detainee Operations Need More Advance Planning

Jun 9, 2011

Prisoner-of-war and detainee operations are a crucial component in the successful prosecution of a conflict -- particularly in counterinsurgency operations -- and should be upgraded to receive more attention and better advance preparation.

Responding to Convergence: Different approaches for Telecommunication regulators

May 23, 2011

This report describes the phenomenon of convergence in communications and audiovisual content markets and determines its impact on regulations and market governance. It draws useful lessons from approaches applied in the U.S., U.K., and South Korea.

Beyond Rivalry and Camaraderie: Explaining Varying Asian Responses to China

Mar 30, 2011

Assesses the security and economic policy responses of a representative sample of Asian states to China between 1992 and 2008.

Alternative to Futile Negotiations with N.K.

Nov 22, 2010

Clearly, it's time for a new strategy, one that North Korea has been loathe to discuss: hasten Korean unification under South Korea's leadership, writes Bruce Bennett.

Claims RAND Advocates War Against China Are False

Nov 22, 2010

Contrary to various online accounts, RAND is not advocating war against China, Korea, or any nation to advance recovery of the U.S. economy. The notion that RAND has generated such an analysis is simply a rumor, with no foundation in fact. We do not know how those who generated the rumor arrived at their conclusion.

The Sinking of the Cheonan: Engage or Retaliate?

Jun 30, 2010

North Korea's apparent sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan marks a new low in the North's provocative behavior. While some would prefer to respond with carrots rather than sticks, it is time to take action that imposes political costs on Kim Jong-il, writes Bruce Bennett.

The Cost Of Reuniting Korea

Mar 15, 2010

Prospects for reuniting South and North Korea may be better than at any time since the demise in 1994 of North Korea's "Great Leader," Kim Il Sung. Several indicators suggest a possible move in this direction, writes Charles Wolf Jr.

Managing Catastrophic North Korea Risks

Jan 20, 2010

In recent years, U.S. commanders of the ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command have been unanimous in stating that CFC could defeat a North Korean invasion. Nevertheless, they have also expressed concern about the catastrophic damage that North Korea could do to the ROK before losing, writes Bruce Bennett.

Getting Value from the U.S.-ROK Summit

Jun 14, 2009

For months, N. Korea has been trying to upstage the summit between S. Korean President Lee and U.S. President Obama that is scheduled for June 16. Almost all Americans I know have heard of the recent N. Korean provocations. But few have heard anything about the U.S.-ROK summit, writes Bruce Bennett.

South Korea Achieves Democracy Despite Previous Obstacles

Sep 2, 2008

Key successes in achieving reform and development – particularly the creation of government stakesholders, the broadening of the ideological spectrum, collaboration between political factions, and major internal and external shocks – have contributed to the consolidation of the democratic system.

A New National Strategy for Korea: North Korea Threats Require Deterrence, Reconciliation

Mar 13, 2008

Over the last five years, the South Korean government has tried to downplay the military threat posed by North Korea. However North Korea still poses a serious military threat to South Korea, writes Bruce Bennett.

Brain Korea 21 Phase II: A New Evaluation Model (Korean-language version)

Mar 11, 2008

The Brain Korea 21 Program (BK21), which seeks to make Korean research universities globally competitive and to produce more high-quality researchers in Korea, provides funding to graduate students and professors who belong to research groups at top universities. The authors develop quantitative and qualitative models to evaluate how well BK21 is fulfilling its goals and make suggestions for further stimulating Korean university research.

Brain Korea 21 Phase II: A New Evaluation Model

Mar 11, 2008

Competition and Economic Performance: Lessons from Korean Experience

Dec 31, 2006

Changes From Command Transfer

Dec 6, 2006

Published commentary by RAND staff: Changes From Command Transfer, in Korea Times.

Tokyo's Leverage Over Pyongyang

Nov 21, 2006

Published commentary by RAND staff: Tokyo's Leverage Over Pyongyang, in the Asian Wall Street Journal.

Analyzing the Republic of Korea's Defense Reform Plan

Jul 7, 2006

In September 2005, the Republic of Korea announced a Defense Reform Plan designed to modernize military equipment and achieve a higher level of professional military personnel. Core aspects of the plan are examined, with major risks identified and ways to manage those risks discussed.