The concept of economic security has taken on paramount importance in the current geopolitical landscape, characterized by the US-China strategic competition, the widespread disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing conflict in the Russia-Ukraine War. These developments have destabilized the global supply chain, leading nations to fiercely compete for technological superiority in a bid to safeguard their national interests. The vulnerability of the supply chain, whether due to inherent weaknesses or through intentional manipulation by states, has far-reaching implications that can impact any given country in profound ways.
This study aims to achieve two objectives. Firstly, it aims to assess the fragility of the Korean economy's supply chain through a meticulous analysis of trade data at the HS (Harmonized System) 6-digit level. The analysis seeks to categorize goods that are heavily reliant on a single source country and undertake a comprehensive examination of their intrinsic characteristics. Secondly, the study engages in an exhaustive evaluation of the economic security policies of four prominent nations, namely the United States, China, Germany, and Japan, with a view to extrapolating implications for the Korean economy's industrial policy and supply chain resilience.