There is nothing like your national dish, in Korea's case fermented cabbage, being made abroad and imported back to make you wonder about globalization. The unfortunate Japanese have already had to live with their beloved Fuji apples being picked in China and exported back to Japan at a fraction of the price. Now Korea is in a similar situation, according to a report from CLSA.
The Chinese assault on Korea's national dish is a useful symbol of China's economic power. But gastronomic fears apart, Korea has obtained many benefits from China, with the mainland providing 80% of Korea's 2003 trade surplus.
The thrust of the report...