GMS Focus

Prof. Yang Jun-seok of Department of Economics at Catholic University will tell us about Korea’s largest e-commerce platform, Coupang being fined 40 billion-won for using unfair search algorithms to boost sales of its own private-label items. This marks the largest-ever fine imposed on a domestic retailer.

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's return from a weeklong trip to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, focusing on strengthening economic ties and securing critical minerals and energy supplies amid rising geopolitical tensions and global economic uncertainties.

Prof. Yang Jun-seok of Department of Economics at Catholic University will tell us about the European Central Bank's first interest rate cut in five years, its implications for global economies, and how it might impact Korea, amid similar moves by Canada and Sweden but a different stance from the US Fed.

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about how Korea-Japan relations are improving under the current conservative government with a focus on national security, yet still face potential turbulence due to unresolved historical disputes.

Prof. Yang Jun-seok of Department of Economics at Catholic University will tell us about South Korea's surprising first-quarter growth, extending its export gains for the eighth consecutive month in May, and the upward revision of its growth forecast, while key U.S. data provides insights into future U.S. inflation and interest rates.

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about the 22nd National Assembly's new term marked by intense partisan divisions, where the opposition's stronger majority is expected to push through contentious bills, challenging the ruling party to either fend them off or rely on the Presidential veto.

Prof. Yang Jun-seok of Department of Economics at Catholic University will tell us about the global race for chip supremacy, focusing on South Korea's new 26 trillion won package to boost its semiconductor industry, and explore the details, prospects, and challenges of this major support program.

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about the first trilateral summit in over four years between Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol, as the leaders meet in Seoul to revive annual discussions disrupted by bilateral feuds and the pandemic.

Prof. Yang Jun-seok of Department of Economics at Catholic University will tell us about the intensifying US-China trade war, sparked by President Biden quadrupling tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and raising levies on other green tech, and China's vow to retaliate, and its impact on Korea.

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about Vladimir Putin choosing Beijing for his first visit of the new term, deepening the strategic partnership with Xi Jinping in their fourth meeting since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and its global implications.

Prof. Yang Jun-seok of Department of Economics at Catholic University will tell us about Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent tour of Europe, including France, Serbia, and Hungary, marking his first visit to the region in five years, aimed at exploring new strategies amid US trade tensions, and we'll examine whether Xi achieved his objectives and the main points of disagreement during the...

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about President Yoon's recent actions marking two years in office, including his second press conference since inauguration, featuring a Q&A session with the press—a practice previously conducted regularly on his commute but suspended in November 2022.

Prof. Yang Jun-seok of Department of Economics at Catholic University will tell us about the latest source of tension between South Korea and Japan, as the Japanese government intensifies pressure on Naver, a South Korean portal giant, to seize management control of Line, the popular messaging app in Japan, sparking controversy and reflecting a broader global trend of data protectionism where gove...

Prof. Kim Byung-jooofInternational Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about the reemergence of two investigations in South Korea's political arena following the April 10th General Election and the historic meeting between President Yoon Suk Yeol and the opposition party chief: one concerning the Itaewon tragedy and the other related to the death of Marine Corporal,...

Prof. Shin Se-don of Department of Economics at Sookmyung Women’s University will tell us about South Korea's surprising first-quarter growth, which exceeded expectations but hasn't translated to relief for many struggling with high prices and interest rates, while in the U.S., first-quarter growth slowed alongside faster-than-expected price increases.

Prof. Kim Byung-jooofInternational Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about the evolving dynamics of AUKUS three years after its announcement, including China's concerns over regional tensions, ongoing discussions about phase two involving Japan and potential expansion to include more partners, alongside the upcoming Korea-Australia 2+2 meeting and its implications.

Prof. Shin Se-don of Department of Economics at Sookmyung Women’s University will tell us about the lingering uncertainties caused by heightened tensions in the Middle East and their impact on the Korean economy, following Iran's downplaying of Israeli airstrikes and ongoing geopolitical risks affecting markets and investors worldwide.

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about how countering China has become a key focus in President Joe Biden's ongoing rivalry with former President Donald Trump, exploring the political impact of tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum and efforts to ease tensions diplomatically between the world's top two economies.

Prof. Shin Se-don of Department of Economics at Sookmyung Women’s University will tell us about South Korea's national debt, which exceeded 126.7 trillion won last year, surpassing 50% of Korea’s GDP for the first time, and we'll explore the main factors contributing to this increase and its implications for the Korean government’s fiscal stability.

Prof. Kim Byung-joo ofInternational Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about the recent joint summit between the leaders of the US, Japan, and the Philippines, highlighting key takeaways from their agreements amid efforts to counter China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Prof. Kim Byung-joo ofInternational Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about the recent S. Korean parliamentary elections, where the liberal opposition secured a landslide victory with the Democratic Party winning 175 out of 300 seats in the National Assembly, significantly impacting President Yoon's position for the remaining three years of his term.

Prof. Shin Se-don of Department of Economics at Sookmyung Women’s University will tell us about Korea's upcoming 22nd general election, where both ruling and opposition parties are emphasizing their economic pledges in a final attempt to sway swing voters, with the ruling party's proposal to scrap the capital gains tax, set for next year, sparking nationwide debate.

Prof. Kim Byung-joo ofInternational Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about the upcoming general elections in South Korea, with a record turnout during early voting and intense efforts to sway voters, focusing on the critical election issues including the economy, low birth rate, housing prices, North Korean missile threats, and political polarization.

Prof. Shin Se-don of Department of Economics at Sookmyung Women’s University will tell us about the upcoming April general elections, with both ruling and opposition parties vying for undecided voters by focusing on economic pledges to alleviate financial burdens amidst high inflation and soaring prices.

Prof. Kim Byung-joo ofInternational Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about the recent arrival of the Israeli delegation in Cairo for ceasefire talks amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, prompting questions about the complexity of US-Israel relations despite the Biden administration's authorization of military support to Israel.