ROK firms' pullout reflects loss of edge

Editor's Note: Transnational companies based in the Republic of Korea, including Lotte Mart, are retreating from the Chinese market, possibly to cut their losses. Four experts share their views on Beijing-Seoul economic ties with China Daily's Cui Shoufeng. Excerpts follow:

Separate economic ties from security concerns

Kim Sang-soon, president of the ROK-based Institute for East Asia Peace Studies, and a senior researcher at the Charhar Institute in China