THE INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOBILE TRADE OF THE REPUBLIC-OF-KOREA DURING THE 1980S - THE NORTH-AMERICAN CONNECTION

This article investigates the spatial dimension of exports of automobi les from the Republic of Korea (ROK), the market for which has been do minated since 1986 by the United States (US). Two theories are reviewe d which have been advanced to explain the pattern and nature of trade, comparative and competitive advantage. This paper examines these theo ries and assesses their explanatory utility in the light of the eviden ce from the ROK. The ROK trade patterns in the automobile industry are used to assess these theories and it is suggested that the results ar e applicable to other locations and industrial sectors.