Signal Korea's exposure indicators point to structural geopolitical vulnerability

Summary

The infographic places Korea on the boundary between the fortress economics and negotiated order scenarios. Semiconductors and batteries are directly exposed to export controls, and heavy reliance on trade with China makes the country structurally vulnerable in high-volatility scenarios. China accounted for 18.44 percent of total exports according to the national indicator system, and semiconductors for 24.50 percent according to the Korea International Trade Association. Korea ranked 27th of 69 countries in the 2025 IMD competitiveness ranking, with government efficiency 31st and business efficiency 44th. The share of foreign value added in exports rose from 29.80 percent in 2020 to 36.65 percent in 2022, which the author reads as a sign that supply-chain fragmentation risk is deepening. US tariff pressure and the US-China technology rivalry are cited as further aggravating factors.