Showing 1 - 10 of 12
South Korea is facing a triple challenge
Oped, Lee Jong-wha, Published on 30/05/2025
» Few countries have transformed themselves as dramatically as South Korea has over the last half-century. A poor, authoritarian country with annual per capita income of less than US$400 (13,000 baht) has become a vibrant and prosperous democracy, with direct presidential elections, peaceful transfers of power, and a per capita income of more than $33,000.
Asia must unite to survive Trump 2.0
Oped, Lee Jong-wha, Published on 01/04/2025
» US President Donald Trump has raised the spectre of economic and geopolitical turmoil in Asia. While individual countries have few options for pushing back against Mr Trump's transactional diplomacy, protectionist trade policies, and erratic decision-making, a unified region has a fighting chance.
How to prevent economic Japanification
Asia focus, Lee Jong-wha, Published on 10/02/2020
» At the annual meeting of the American Economic Association last month, eminent economists warned that Western economies risked "Japanification": a future of sluggish growth, low inflation and perpetually low interest rates. Surprising as it may seem, this malaise also threatens East Asia.
Human capital development lessons from East Asia
Asia focus, Lee Jong-wha, Published on 18/02/2019
» Nelson Mandela once said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Education does not just enable individuals to improve their lot in life; it enriches an economy's human capital, which is vital to prosperity and social progress.
Education in the age of automation
Asia focus, Lee Jong-wha, Published on 24/09/2018
» As digital technologies and automation have advanced, fears about workers' futures have increased. But the end result does not have to be negative. The key is education.
How Asia can tackle US trade wars
News, Lee Jong-wha, Published on 02/04/2018
» Over the past five decades or so, Asia's economies have relied largely on an export-oriented development model to support rapid economic transformation and growth. But with US President Donald Trump fulfilling his promise to adopt a more protectionist approach to trade -- an effort that could spur retaliatory measures by other countries -- that model is coming under increasing strain.
Can Moon's J-nomics save South Korea's economy?
News, Lee Jong-wha, Published on 22/05/2017
» South Korea's new president, Moon Jae-in, a former human-rights lawyer representing the centre-left Democratic Party, has his work cut out for him. Though North Korea's increasingly provocative behaviour will likely continue to dominate headlines, the success of Mr Moon's presidency will hinge largely upon his economic policies.
The struggle to make more babies
News, Lee Jong-wha, Published on 26/09/2016
» South Korea is facing major demographic challenges. The total fertility rate (the number of children per woman), at 1.24, is one of the lowest in the world, and well below the level -- 2.1 children per woman -- needed to sustain a population without immigration. As a result, the population is aging fast, and the government, despite its best efforts, seems to have no answer.
How slow will China go? Its neighbours offer valuable clues
Business, Lee Jong-wha, Published on 25/07/2016
» China's economic performance over the last few decades has been outstanding. Despite possessing very different institutions than those seen in the advanced economies, no doubt a result of its communist system, China managed to achieve 8.7% average annual per capita GDP growth from 1980 to 2015. The key has been its unique strategy of "crossing the river by feeling the stones," whereby it has gradually tested, implemented, and adjusted reforms and growth-enhancing policies.
Maintaining the Emerging Economy Growth Engine
Business, Lee Jong-wha, Published on 21/03/2016
» The world's emerging economies seem to be losing their dynamism. Countries that only a few years ago were being hailed for their resilience in the face of a global economic meltdown are now facing myriad challenges, reflected in significantly slower GDP growth. Is the emerging economy growth engine breaking down?