Evolution of Free Economic Zones in Republic of Korea and Its Implications
梳理韩国自由经济区从加工制造到国际区域经济一体化的四个阶段演变，分析其动力机制，对发展中国家尤其是中国建设自由经济区有参考价值。
In recent years, the Free Economic Zones(FEZs), as a product of economic globalization and regional economic integration, have become the growth poles of the economic development in developing countries, the motivations of urbanization and a significant stage for the reforms of related institutions. Northeast Asia provides the third largest economic zones next to North America and European Union and has evolved into a major centre of manufacturing in the world. As one of the newly industrialised countries, Korea possesses the geographical advantage as the bridge between the continent of Northeast Asia and Pacific Ocean. Therefore, the FEZs of Korea not only triggers domestic economic boost by promoting trade, increasing employment, and ameliorating the industrial structure, but also propels economic globalization and regional economic integration. However, the domestic and foreign scholars focus on the cost- benefit analysis, theoretical basis and comparative analysis, they are still confronted with lack of systematic research in FEZs in Korea at present. This paper summarizes the characteristics of the evolution and dynamic mechanism of the FEZs in Korea based on the economic geography theory, trade theory and system evolutionary theory, by viewing the establishment of FEZs in Korea as a process of four stages with various economic patterns emphasizing respectively on processing and manufacturing, science and technology, comprehensive and international regional economic integration. The dynamic factors, such as international environment, domestic policies, inside conditions and outside conditions, are closely examined. This paper provides a prospective view on the tendency of whole FEZs and the instructive value of Korean FEZs for the construction of FEZs in China.