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This paper presents a numerical procedure for pricing collateralized bond obligations (CBO) and analyze the impact of default correlations for the prices of collateralized bond obligations. Specifically, we adopt default correlation model of Zhou (2001) and first passage time model of Black and Cox (1976). The model of Black and Cox is used for estimating the value of the firm and the volatility of the firm value which are unobservable variables. We find that the impact of default correlations on the prices of collateralized bond obligations is generally quite large. This can be tested by carrying out Monte-Carlo simulations for firm value processes, assuming first no default correlations and second modeling default correlations between the processes. We also compare the model prices and recently issued CBO market price and find that no default correlation model over prices the issued CBO and default correlation model under prices the issued CBO. These results in this paper emphasize that modeling default correlations is very important in analyzing CBO and a more complicated further analysis is required.

This research looks into hedge strategies to resolve foreign exchange-related risks, generated when investing in overseas financial assets, as an example of quantity risk. If an investor has information with no uncertainty over the volume and there is only a price risk he want to hedge, an investor will be able to reduce or eliminate risks by using relative derivative securities such as forwards or futures contracts. However, if there are uncertainties over the volume of hedging targets that is called quantity risk, it is impossible to set the optimal hedge ratio with the traditional method without considering the presence of quantity risk. In this paper, we theoretically draw an optimal hedge ratio which is estimated via minimal variance criterion under static hedge structure. We also analyze its hedge performance and the impact of change in covariance on the optimal hedge ratio and variance of investment return denominated as its own country currency. For theoretical approach, we review the impact that overseas financial assets’ yield and exchanges rates distribution will have on optimal hedge ratio through simple numerical analysis. Empirical analysis is carried out by using the stock indices of the U.S., Europe and Asian countries, and the results indicate that hedge strategies taken with quantity risk for all markets produced better hedging performance than the strategies taken without quantity risk. Since there is a need for systematic research on risks involving foreign exchanges that occur in the event of foreign investments aimed to develop the domestic financial industry, we hope that our research serve as a stepping-stone for further research.

This paper examines empirically the dynamic relationship between spot and futures prices in stock index futures market using data for the KOSPI200 during 1996 to 2001, and employing nonlinear-equilibrium-correction approach that essentially is based on the extension of Markovian regime shifts to nonstationary framework. A linear-VECM was rejected strongly when tested against a Markov-switching (MS) VECM that allowed for two regimes in the mean of equilibrium correction model, as well as in the variance-covariance matrix. The empirical model ultimately proposed therefore, is consistent with the spirit of Cost of Carry model, as well as with the increasingly growing empirical literature stressing the existence of important nonlinearities in both spot and futures prices movements.

The issue of the reunification of North and South Korea attracted worldwide attention in June 2000, when the historic summit meeting between the two top Korean leaders was held in North Korea. Although recently the two Koreas have stepped up their efforts toward reconciliation, international scholars and researchers in Korean studies seem to agree that Korean reunification will be slow and difficult. For this reason, they are researching possible solutions to the critical problems involved, and thus there has been an upsurge of published materials on reunification. This annotated bibliography aims to serve as a guide to these materials. Although this bibliography is selective in that it is limited to literature published in English since 1996, it has wide content coverage and includes books, journals, government publications, special reports, research papers, and Websites. Given the complicated and dynamic situation in Korea, this bibliography will be of use to those who are concerned with Korean reunification.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the price discovery role of the Korea Composite Stock Price Index 200 (KOSPI 200) stock index options market in contrast to other developed options markets.

The price discovery roles of the stock and options markets using the error‐correction model derived from the co‐integration relationship are examined. Various analyses are conducted. First, Heston's stochastic volatility option pricing model is employed to confirm its usefulness, and compare the results with the Black and Scholes (BS) model. Second, whether the out of the money (OTM) options purchased by individual investors have a stronger price discovery role than options with other moneyness is examined. Finally, whether options have a stronger price discovery role in bullish or bearish markets than in normal markets is tested.

It is found that stock index prices lead implied index prices estimated from option prices using both BS and Heston models. In regards to the OTM options, the lead‐effect of real stock index to implied index prices holds. Also it is shown that there is a weak rise in the lead effect of the options to the stock index, but the lead effect of stock index market rules over that of the options market.

The paper examines the price discovery role of the KOSPI 200 stock index options market in contrast to other developed options markets and the results indicate that the consensus on the Korean financial markets may be incorrect.

The purpose of this paper is to review characteristics and functions of an advance payment guarantee (AP-Bond), and to analyse some legal and practical issues concerning a “reduction clause” in an AP-Bond under an overseas construction contract.

This paper compares relevant provisions of the URDG 758, the UN Convention, the ISP 98, and the FIDIC Silver Book, and also cites relevant case laws of the USA, UK and Korea. This paper also refers many Korean scholars’ views on characteristics of an independent guarantee including an AP-Bond.

A demand for payment under an AP-Bond shall not be honoured in the event that an employer wrongfully refuses to issue documents required for reduction of an AP-Bond. A beneficiary shall not be favoured by independence nature of an AP-Bond in case of fraud or abuse of right.

This paper originally analyzes a “reduction clause” in an AP-Bond. This paper provides logics that a demand for payment shall not be honoured in the event that a beneficiary wrongfully refuses to issue documents required for reduction of an AP-Bond.

This paper presents a case study on the problem of loading air containers in air express carriers motivated from DHL and Air Hong Kong. The problem is to determine the containers to be loaded and the locations of the loaded containers in an aircraft while maintaining stability of the aircraft. The objective of the problem is to maximize the revenue obtained from delivering containers. We present an integer programming model to represent and optimally solve the problem. Computational experiments done on a number of randomly generated test instances show that the integer program can be a viable tool for generating loading plans in the companies since optimal or near-optimal solutions for the test instances are obtained within a reasonable amount of computation time.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature of the China–North Korea alliance that has been often described as “Lips and Teeth” or “Blood Tied.”

In order to make accurate assessment of the China–North Korea relations, this paper conducts indepth historical analysis of the relations. The relations between two countries were formed in 1940s and lasts until today.

However, by looking into the history of two countries, this paper argues that the bilateral relations are not an extraordinary but an ordinary state-to-state relations dictated by national interests. Changes in their calculus of national interests affect their relations. They cooperate with each other when they see mutual benefit in doing so and tension arises when there is a conflict of interests. What should be noted is that the changes in the nature of relations is different from the deterioration in the relations. Recent improvement of their relations supports this paper’s argument.

This paper suggests new look at the China–North Korea relations that has been considered as an extraordinary relations. The findings of this paper suggest that the alliance relation is not different from other state-to-state relations where conflict and cooperation occurs based on their national interests.

The purpose of this paper is to identify motivational factors for using wearable healthcare devices and examine the process by which these factors are integrated with the technology acceptance model (TAM) and contribute to the adoption of the devices.

An online survey assessed the proposed motivational factors for the adoption of wearable healthcare devices. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were conducted on collected data (n=877) to demonstrate the reliability and validity of the measurement and structural model.

Perceived control and interactivity of wearable healthcare devices as well as users’ innovative tendencies are positively associated with usage intention, while perceived cost has no significant effects on user intention to use the devices. The results also supported the explanatory strength and predictability of TAM.

Although the promising role of wearable devices in healthcare industries has gained much consumer attention, limited empirical investigations have been conducted on explicating how user attitude and usage intention are shaped regarding the devices. This study serves as one of the first attempts to empirically examine the adoption process, with implications for the future usage of wearable technology in the healthcare context.