The Korean Mineral Market: Opportunities and Marketing Strategies for Canada

F. Quei Quo is a political science professor at Simon Fraser University.

Among the four “Little Dragons” Korea ranks top in many respects. Korea opts for heavy industrial development concentrating on steel, automobile, and chemical products, and it is in this regard that the Republic of Korea becomes important to Canada’s mineral industries. Canada’s sale of coaking and steam coal, uranium and potash account for our major exports, while Korean exports of automobiles and footwear are a large proportion of our imports. Our coal supply to Korea accounts for 12.5 per cent of our annual coal exports and the demand rises 5 per cent a year. While sulphur and potash exports are only 6.8 and 4.5 per cent of our total exports in those categories, we are almost the monopolized supplier. The Canada-Korea relation in mineral resources, therefore, warrants a close study.

This is a well-researched study and the book is a well-written summary of the findings. Especially to be commended is the author’s review and emphasis of the non-price factors in the relations between these two culturally and politically different nations. Joint ventures between the two, recruitment of local Korean expatriates in the endeavours to promote Canadian products, and the urge for Canadians to learn Korean ways are good recommendations, and the book should be of use even to those who are engaged in other business activities with Korea.