1. . IT . ? It is welcome news that; I am glad to learn that ? trade deficit with Japan ?

t ? trade deficit with Japan ? IT South Koreas competitiveness in electronics including smartphones ? is thanks to ? there is still a large gap in the parts and raw materials sector ? the Japanese governments systematic support programs help small firms ? continue to play a key role in ; remain a key part of ? . There is little difference between the two countries in terms of ? 80% employ 80% of workers; account for 80% of jobs ? there is a big difference in qualitative aspects there is a marked qualitative difference ? 53.2% account for 53.2% of value added; are responsible for 53.2% of value added ? 100 15000 over 15,000 of them are more than 100 years old over 15,000 firms date back more than a century ? 12.3( 29.1) . they are just 12.3 years old, on average, 1. < VERSION 1 > It is welcome news that South Koreas trade deficit with Japan has been shrinking l ately. Probably it is thanks in part to South Koreas competitiveness in electronic s including smartphones. But the country is still running a deficit of 25.5 bill ion dollars with Japan. In particular, there is still a large gap in the parts a nd raw materials sector. This is due to the fact that the Japanese governments sys tematic support programs help small firms continue to play a key role in keeping the countrys export sector competitive. Small businesses play an important role both in Japan and South Korea. In both c ountries, small firms account for more than 99% of all businesses and employ mor e than 80% of workers. Still, there is a big difference in qualitative aspects. In Japan, small firms account for 53.2% of value added and over 15,000 of them a re more than 100 years old. In South Korea, small companies share of value added i s just 48.2% and their average age is just 12.3 years compared to 29.1 years for large companies. < VERSION 2 > I am glad to learn that South Koreas trade deficit with Japan is shrinking. I supp ose that it is in large part owing to the countrys competitiveness in electronics ? especially in smartphones. The deficit, however, still stands at 25.5 billion dollars and South Korea is yet no match for Japan in parts and raw materials. Th is is because, in Japan, small companies remain a key part of the countrys export competitiveness thanks to the governments systematic support efforts. There is little difference between the two countries in terms of the importance of small businesses. In both countries, small firms account for more than 99% of all businesses and more than 80% of jobs. Still, there is a marked qualitative difference. Japans small companies are responsible for 53.2% of value added and ha

ve long histories, with over 15,000 firms dating back more than a century. In So uth Korea, small companies share of value added stands at just 48.2% and, on avera ge, they are just 12.3 years old ? versus 29.1 years for large companies.

2. 3 . ? 3 maintain the dynastic regime, which is now in its third generation ? need to promote economic growth ? the North Korean leadership; North Koreas leadership the leadership the government ? prefer relying on China ? it lacks an effective means to get China to do what it wants it doesnt have much leverage over China ? (North Korea) might find it useful to ? create a tense situation on the Korean Peninsula heighten tensions on the Korean Peninsula ? appease North Korea; placate North Korea ? on (/under) the pretext of preventing further deterioration; preventing further escalation () ? () unless North Korea exports ; as long as Pyongyang refrains from expor ting ? make risky moves; take a big gamble ? Washington might find the existence of North Korea useful because it facilitates Washington might find the existence of North Korea useful as a justification of ? counter Chinas rise; counter Chinas influence ? 21 will help the US lead the Pacific Age in t 2. < VERSION 1 > The North Korean leadership wants to maintain the dynastic regime, which is now in its third generation, while it needs to promote economic growth. This is why Pyongyang prefers relying on China, a socialist brother, than economic cooperation w ith South Korea, which is regarded as a poisoned apple. As it lacks an effective means to get China to do what it wants, North Korea might find it useful to cre ate a tense situation on the Korean Peninsula, prompting China, which doesnt want an all-out crisis, to provide support. The Chinese-North Korean relationship will be maintained regardless of whether N orth Korea conducts a nuclear test. Even if the situation gets more serious, Chi na will likely try to appease Pyongyang, giving it energy and food aid, on the p retext of preventing an even more serious crisis. The US also doesnt need to make risky moves unless North Korea exports nuclear materials or missile technology. Washington might even find the existence of the trouble maker useful because it helps justify its own efforts to counter Chinas rise and expand the US-led missile defense program and American influence in the region in preparation for the 21s t century ? the Pacific era. < VERSION 2 > Faced with the need to promote economic growth while maintaining the dynastic re gime, now in its third generation, the North Korean leadership prefers relying o n China, a socialist brother, rather than pursuing economic cooperation with South K

orea, which it regards as a poisoned apple. As it doesnt have much leverage over C hina, North Korea might find it useful to heighten tensions on the Korean Penins ula, forcing China, which doesnt want a catastrophic crisis, to appease it. Their ties will remain intact regardless of another nuclear test. Even if the si tuation gets worse, China will keep placating Pyongyang with energy and food aid citing the need to prevent further escalation of tensions. Washington doesnt need to take a gamble either as long as Pyongyang refrains from selling nuclear mate rials or missile technology. Washington might even find the existence of the tro uble maker useful as a justification of its efforts to counter Chinas rise, expand the US-led missile defense system and increase American influence in Asia, whic h will help the US lead the Pacific Age in the 21st century.