(In this sense, South Korea is treading a path not taken by Japa

(In this sense, South Korea is treading a path not taken by Japan. While Japanese interests span the globe, few foreign firms have successfully penetrated Japan’s home turf. Korea, too, has a legacy of xenophobia; and the Koreans are clearly wary of opening their markets to high-powered Western competitors. But they are tentatively doing just that, so far with a momentum unmatched by Japan. The aim is to defuse the protectionist pressures that have hobbled U. S. -Japanese trade relations and, in time, to enter the ranks of the world’s developed nations. That’s no small order, but the Koreans think it can be filled fairly simply. At bottom, says Nam Due Woo, chairman of the Korea Traders Association, South Korea needs only “some degree of sweat and some degree of technological sophistication.” And that’s precisely what has already lifted Korea, Inc. into contention.) Can you explain “. . . lifted Korea, Inc. into contention”?
【正确答案】：It means that it’s those things mentioned above that have made Korea a rising world trade power and able to compete with countries like the U. S. and Japan in the international market.