GMS Focus

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.

Prof. Shin Se-don of Department of Economics at Sookmyung Women’s University will tell us about the Bank of Japan's first interest rate hike in 17 years, ending Japan's negative interest rate era, alongside the US Federal Reserve's decision to hold rates steady and suggest potential rate cuts this year.

Prof. Kim Byung-joo ofInternational Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about both Joe Biden and Donald Trump securing their party nominations, the significance of the phrase "democracy is on the ballot" in the upcoming election, the current polls 8 months ahead, and what's next.

Prof. Shin Se-don of Department of Economics at Sookmyung Women’s University will tell us about the skyrocketing fruit prices driving South Korea's inflation to around 3%, posing challenges for the Bank of Korea amidst high inflation and rising household debt, and we'll discuss the possibility of future interest rate cuts.

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about the significance of the US-led Summit for Democracy, hosted by South Korea and involving over 60 countries, in countering authoritarianism and democratic decline amid a period of numerous national elections.

Prof. Shin Se-don of Department of Economics at Sookmyung Women’s University will tell us about the recent record highs in cryptocurrency Bitcoin, gold prices, Nasdaq, and S&P 500, prompting questions about the driving forces behind this surge and whether the bullish upward trend is sustainable or indicative of a potential bubble.

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about China's annual "Two Sessions," a key political event shaping the legislative agenda for the year, with this 10-day congress being the most important of the year; notably, Beijing has canceled its usual premier-led press conference.

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about Sweden's historic departure from 200 years of neutrality as it officially joins NATO, a decision reached after almost two years of negotiations, dealing a significant blow to the Russian President and raising questions about the implications for the region's geopolitics and beyond.

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about the upcoming South Korea National Assembly election in 5½ weeks, characterized by a highly contentious political climate and the potential impact of breakaway factions and third parties, while also questioning the defining factors of President Yoon's remaining term.

Prof. Yang Jun-seok of Department of Economics at Catholic University will tell us about Nvidia's record-breaking one-day gain in Wall Street, fueled by exceptional quarterly earnings and sales outlook, solidifying its status as "the most important stock on earth" according to Goldman Sachs. We'll delve into what this means for Korean companies in the thriving AI market.

Prof. Kim Byung-joo of International Relations at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will tell us about the recent G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting in Rio, Brazil, where the host country advocated for a UN overhaul, citing its failure to prevent wars and conflicts. We'll explore the crucial role of foreign ministers' meetings in addressing global challenges amid the rise of the New Col...