Welcoming Remarks

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 2025 KER (Korean Economic Review) International Conference, which is also held as the Pre-conference of the Econometrics Society World Congress. It is organized by the KEA (Korean Economic Association), and co-hosted by the Institute of Economic Research (SNU), the Bank of Korea, and Inha University (RCSBE). The event will be located on campus of the Seoul National University, Woosuk Hall, sitting at the beautiful hills of Gwanak Mountain surrounding Seoul but accessible by the Seoul Metro, Sillim line. 

The theme for this year is “Recreating the Korean Economy for the Inclusive Future,” which is to reflect our concern for the Korean economy as it is subject to slow growth and rising inequality. We need to revitalize the economy and I hope our conference may suggest powerful ideas to shape the future of the economy. The conference will serve as an opportunity to search such ideas in terms of macro-financial stability, technological innovations from diverse entities including SMEs and startups, and labor and human capital issues, etc.

Since its foundation in 1952, the Korean Economic Association has been at the forefront of advancing economic research and policy idea, while fostering scholarly exchanges globally. I am happy that we can continue this tradition through this year’s conference, which will gather scholars from all over the world. In particular, I am happy to continue to work with the KAEA (Korea-America Economic Association), which has been an active partner in this endeavor, representing many Korean economists in the US.

Finally I would like to extend my gratitude to the organizing committee co-chairs, Professors Jungmin Lee and Biung-Ghi Ju, as well as Professor Deockhyun Ryu, Executive Secretary of the KEA, whose dedication and hard work have been critical in making this event happen.

Thank you very much for your support and participation, and I wish you a productive and joyful day with the conference.

All the Best Wishes,

Keun Lee

President, The Korean Economic Association