This study empirically analyzes the impact of geopolitical risk (GPR) on South Korea’s crude oil imports. While the vast majority of previous studies have performed analysis taking advantage of national-level datasets, this study pay particular atte...
This study empirically analyzes the impact of geopolitical risk (GPR) on South Korea’s crude oil imports. While the vast majority of previous studies have performed analysis taking advantage of national-level datasets, this study pay particular attention to individual major crude oil importing ports (Ulsan, Yeosu, Daesan, and Onsan) to identify how and at what pace geopolitical risks are transmitted regionally. Using the GPR indices developed by Caldara and Iacoviello (2022) — GPR, GPRT (threat), GPRA (act), and GPRK (Korea) — the analysis applies unit root tests, cointegration analysis, Granger causality tests, and Vector Autoregressi ve (VAR). Most of the variables achieved stationarity after logarithmic differences, and short-term causality was identified between the GPR indices and crude oil import variables. The analysis showed that GPR, GPRT, and GPRA significantly affected the crude oil price at all ports, while only GPRK had a significant impact at Yeosu Port. Geopolitical risks had little effect on the quantity and value of crude oil imports. This finding suggests that while geopolitical risks influence crude oil prices in the short term, their impact on quantity and value is minimal. These results highlight the need for short-term response strategies that take into account the differing sensitivities of each port, as well as the establishment of a national real-time risk monitoring system that integrates geopolitical risks, oil prices, transportation costs, and insurance premiums. Keywords: Geopolitical Risk, Crude Oil Imports, Vector Autoregressive (VAR)., Granger Causality