@article{ART003310727},
author={Jinmok Kim},
title={Institutional Blind Spots in Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation: A Case Study of ‘KIC-Adjacent Enterprises’},
journal={The Journal of Northeast Asia Research},
issn={2005-4432},
year={2026},
volume={41},
number={1},
pages={183-208},
doi={10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.007}
TY - JOUR
AU - Jinmok Kim
TI - Institutional Blind Spots in Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation: A Case Study of ‘KIC-Adjacent Enterprises’
JO - The Journal of Northeast Asia Research
PY - 2026
VL - 41
IS - 1
PB - The Institute for Northeast Asia Research
SP - 183
EP - 208
SN - 2005-4432
AB - This study departs from the conventional view that dichotomizes inter-Korean economic cooperation into the Kaesong Industrial Complex(KIC) and general inland investment. Instead, it investigates structural blind spots in the institutional framework through an analysis of “KIC-Adjacent Enterprises.” Based on an empirical case study of Enterprise A, an equity joint venture, the study reveals that while these enterprises secured locational proximity in order to leverage the KIC’s infrastructure spillover effects, they occupied a dual status and were institutionally excluded from the legal protection afforded by the Kaesong Industrial District Act. A comparative analysis further demonstrates that although such enterprises were connected to the KIC in terms of logistics and physical access, they remained disconnected from critical infrastructure, including electricity and water. Moreover, due to the absence of institutional safeguards during political crises such as the December 1st Measure and the May 24th Measure, these enterprises were found to be significantly more vulnerable than tenant companies within the KIC. This study suggests that flexibility in expanding the scope of institutional application is essential for future inter-Korean economic cooperation.
KW - Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation;KIC-Adjacent Enterprise;Equity Joint Venture Enterprise;Locational Strategy;Political Risk
DO - 10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.007
ER -
Jinmok Kim. (2026). Institutional Blind Spots in Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation: A Case Study of ‘KIC-Adjacent Enterprises’. The Journal of Northeast Asia Research, 41(1), 183-208.
Jinmok Kim. 2026, "Institutional Blind Spots in Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation: A Case Study of ‘KIC-Adjacent Enterprises’", The Journal of Northeast Asia Research, vol.41, no.1 pp.183-208. Available from: doi:10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.007
Jinmok Kim "Institutional Blind Spots in Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation: A Case Study of ‘KIC-Adjacent Enterprises’" The Journal of Northeast Asia Research 41.1 pp.183-208 (2026) : 183.
Jinmok Kim. Institutional Blind Spots in Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation: A Case Study of ‘KIC-Adjacent Enterprises’. 2026; 41(1), 183-208. Available from: doi:10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.007
Jinmok Kim. "Institutional Blind Spots in Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation: A Case Study of ‘KIC-Adjacent Enterprises’" The Journal of Northeast Asia Research 41, no.1 (2026) : 183-208.doi: 10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.007
Jinmok Kim. Institutional Blind Spots in Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation: A Case Study of ‘KIC-Adjacent Enterprises’. The Journal of Northeast Asia Research, 41(1), 183-208. doi: 10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.007
Jinmok Kim. Institutional Blind Spots in Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation: A Case Study of ‘KIC-Adjacent Enterprises’. The Journal of Northeast Asia Research. 2026; 41(1) 183-208. doi: 10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.007
Jinmok Kim. Institutional Blind Spots in Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation: A Case Study of ‘KIC-Adjacent Enterprises’. 2026; 41(1), 183-208. Available from: doi:10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.007
Jinmok Kim. "Institutional Blind Spots in Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation: A Case Study of ‘KIC-Adjacent Enterprises’" The Journal of Northeast Asia Research 41, no.1 (2026) : 183-208.doi: 10.18013/jnar.2026.41.1.007
