The Endogeneity of Tariffs in Korea

type:Article
This article examines the validity of the “endogenous tariff model” in Korea. For many developed countries, accounting for a tariff in its endogenous notion has become increasingly important as special interest groups play pivotal roles in shaping trade policy. Yet, little evidence exists on the determinants of tariffs in Korea. Korea is an interesting case in that its protectivemeasures have been strategically designed and extensively implemented as a means tosuccessful economic development. With a full set of industry specific cross-sectional data, utilizing a simultaneous equation system, the study finds that: 1) a smaller number of establishments alleviates the free-rider problem, reducing transaction costs and thereby increasing the level of protection, 2) even though import competition intensifies in the short run, it does not necessarily lead to a higher level of protection.