Schedule
Day 1 PERI Special Symposium (Hall Ruby, Yeong Bin Gwan, The Shilla Hotels seoul)
| Time | Program | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 10:0010:30 | Welcoming Ceremony |
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| 10:3012:00 | Session 1 Anti-Populist Fiscal Policy |
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| 12:0014:00 | [Lunch] | |
| 14:0015:30 | Session 2 Empirical Analysis - Population Policy |
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| 15:3015:50 | [Networking Break] | |
| 15:5017:20 | Session 3 Empirical Analysis - Immigration Policy |
|
* Major programs and schedules are subject to change depending on the circumstances of the event.
Day 2 EDAILY Strategy Forum : Dynasty Hall, The Shilla Hotels seoulM
| Time | Program | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 09:3010:00 | Opening Ceremony |
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| 10:0012:00 | Keynote Session |
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| 12:0013:00 | [Lunch] | |
| 13:0014:20 | Session 1 Governance Innovation for Birth-Friendly Population Policy |
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| 14:2014:40 | [Networking Break] | |
| 14:4016:00 | Session 2 In an era of population decline,solutions to respond to rural extinction |
|
| 16:0016:20 | [Networking Break] | |
| 16:2018:00 | Session 3 Demographic shifts and changes in social structure¡¦ What are the challenges to reform? |
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* Major programs and schedules are subject to change depending on the circumstances of the event.
Day 3 EDAILY Strategy Forum : Dynasty Hall, The Shilla Hotels seoul
| Time | Program | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 09:0010:20 | Keynote Session |
|
| 10:2010:40 | [Networking Break] | |
| 10:4012:00 | Session 4 Business Solutions for Population Changeand Shrinking Economy |
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| 12:0013:00 | [Lunch] | |
| 13:0014:20 | Session 5 Corporate's social role to overcomethe declining birthrate issue |
|
| 14:2014:40 | [Networking Break] | |
| 14:4016:00 | Session 6 Creating a Socio-Cultural Environment to increase marriage rate and balance work-family status |
|
| 16:0016:20 | [Networking Break] | |
| 16:2017:40 | Session 7 A super-aged society with a declining birth rate¡¦Coexistence of Young and Silver Generation |
|
* Major programs and schedules are subject to change depending on the circumstances of the event.
Sessions
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EDAILY - PERI Special Symposium
- Session 1
Anti-Populist Fiscal Policy
Last year, South Korea's national debt topped 1,100 trillion won for the first time in history, surpassing 50% of the country's GDP. This amounts to approximately 22 million won per capita. With the fiscal burden expected to increase due to low birth rates and an aging population, the country's finances face a challenging situation with growing deficits. EDAILY, in collaboration with the Brookings Institution in the United States and the Policy Evaluation Research Institute (PERI), aims to discuss fiscal reform directions based on empirical analysis of existing policies and explore new population policy tasks. Drawing on research and papers prepared over the past eight months by fiscal experts of Korea and the US, including Louis Sheiner, Policy Director for the Hutchins Center at the Brookings Institution, and Lee Chul-in, President of the Korean Association of Public Finance, experts will propose desirable directions for South Korea's fiscal policy, and incumbent officials, like Cho Dong-chul, President of the Korea Development Institute (KDI), and Kim Yoon-sang, Second Vice Minister of Economy and Finance, will discuss their proposals. -
EDAILY - PERI Special Symposium
- Session 2
Empirical Analysis - Population Policy
Since 2005, the South Korean government has invested approximately 340 trillion won into tackling low birth rates and the aging population. However, empirical analysis of these efforts has been insufficient, and ultimately failed to prevent the sharp decline in South Korea's birth rate. EDAILY, in collaboration with PERI and international policy experts such as Barbara Wolfe, former director of the Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will present problems related to South Korea's response to the low birth rate and improvement directions based on eight months of research on Korean population policy. This in-depth evaluation of population policies by experts from both South Korea and the US is expected to generate interest as to what new kinds of alternatives may emerge. -
EDAILY - PERI Special Symposium
- Session 3
Empirical Analysis - Immigration Policy
Our society's low birth rate and aging population have already become a 'predetermined future.' Although, even at this stage, efforts to increase the total fertility rate are necessary, simultaneously, all stakeholders must make efforts to adapt to the super-aged society. EDAILY and PERI, along with domestic and international policy experts including Cynthia Miller and James Riccio, senior fellows at the Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation (MDRC), a US education and social policy research institution, have conducted an eight-month study to propose a new immigration and childcare policy program. Building upon a paper containing proposals never before attempted, we seek to bring about fundamental changes in Korean society. Current public officials such as Choi, Seulki, a standing committee member of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy, Lee Sung-hee, Vice Minister of Employment and Labor, and Hur Jai-joon, President of the Korea Labor Institute, will share their insights on the matter.
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Session Introduction
- Keynote Session 1
The New Normal, an Uncharted Future: The Path for Korea
South Korea is hurtling toward becoming a super-aged, low birth rate society at the fastest pace in the world. Last year, the total fertility rate, which represents the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, dropped to a record low of 0.72. At this rate, over one-fifth of South Korea's population will be aged 65 or older in two years, marking the transition to a super-aged society. The total population is projected to decline by approximately 30%, from 51.67 million in 2022 to 36.22 million in 2072. This issue is not unique to South Korea. Although not as extreme as South Korea, low birth rates and aging populations are common trends in almost all developed countries, presenting an unprecedented future challenge that we must collectively overcome. Jennifer Sciubba, a global demographer and author of "8 Billion and Counting: How Sex, Death, and Migration Shape Our World," analyzes the demographic issues that will be pivotal to global political, economic, and social changes. She will offer insights into the population issues regarding birth, death and migration, and suggest the direction South Korea should take in the future. -
Session Introduction
- Keynote Session 2
Preventive Social Policies: Low Birth Rates, Aging Populations, and Immigration - Sweden¡¯s Experience and Lessons for South Korea
Many developed countries have been grappling with the challenges of low birth rates and aging populations for a long time, some starting 100 years ago, as early as the 1930s. Throughout this period, countries like Sweden and other Nordic nations have implemented long-term population policies that can span centuries, thereby successfully improving various indicators such as the total fertility rate. Former Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt will introduce the diverse population policies implemented during his tenure from 2006 to 2014. He will also highlight the lessons that South Korea, currently on the world¡¯s fastest trajectory to low birth rates and population aging, can draw from Sweden's experience. -
Session 1
Innovating the Government¡¯s Governance for Birth-Friendly Population Policies
In 2005, the South Korean government launched the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy and invested approximately 340 trillion won to boost the birth rate and prepare for an aging society, but these efforts have failed to yield effective results. The total fertility rate (the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime), which was 1.09 in 2005, fell to 0.72 last year, 18 years later. By next year, more than one-fifth of the population will be 65 or older, marking South Korea's entry into a super-aged society. Many experts now argue that instead of indiscriminate financial investments, the government should innovate its governance to make all policies more birth-friendly. Domestic and international policy experts will gather to discuss specific ways to innovate government governance. -
Session 2
Solutions for Addressing Regional Decline in the Era of Population Decrease
Low birth rates and an aging population do not affect all regions evenly. While the population in the metropolitan area continues to grow, non-metropolitan areas, especially underdeveloped regions, face an increasing risk of regional extinction. According to Statistics Korea and the Korea Employment Information Service, as of the end of last year, 51 out of 228 cities, counties, and districts were at high risk of extinction, and 67 were at risk of entering such a stage. Domestic experts, including "Alley Economist" Professor Mo Jong-rin from Yonsei University and Nam Jin, President of the Korean Urban Real Estate Society (Professor at the University of Seoul), will examine the current status of regional extinction as another consequence of population change and discuss potential solutions. Tatsuo Hatta, President of the Asian Growth Research Institute (AGI), will share Japan's experience in facing a similar crisis of regional extinction prior to South Korea. -
Session 3
Population Transition and Changes in Social Structure: Tasks for Reform
Population changes significantly impact not just one sector of society but the entire political, economic, and social landscape. Governments, businesses, and individuals will all face new challenges. Aging populations threaten national finances and could deplete pension systems, while low birth rates will cause many schools to struggle. The current social structure, which assumes population growth, is unsustainable. Change is inevitable for all stakeholders. Led by former Strategy and Finance Minister Bahk Jae-wan, this session will examine the current state of these changes and present the reform tasks that we must undertake immediately.
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Session Introduction
- Keynote Session 3
The New Normal of Super-Aged Societies: The Present and Future of the Global Silver Industry, and Opportunities for Korean Companies
The world, including South Korea, is entering a new normal of low growth and super-aged societies. All economic actors, including businesses, must seek sustainability amid these challenging shifts. Opportunities can be found in this process. For instance, if companies expand their investment into the silver industry in response to super-aging, it could lead to both sustainability and additional growth. Former Finnish Prime Minister and advisor to the Global Aging Network, Esko Tapani Aho, will explore the current state, future prospects, and opportunities for Korean companies within the silver industry. -
Session 4
Business Solutions for Addressing Population Transition and a Shrinking Economy
Many companies dream of achieving longevity, but in reality, sustaining a business for even 30 to 50 years is no easy feat. As we face population transitions and a shrinking economy, businesses must confront even more intense challenges than ever before. This session will share the insights of various experts on the business solutions companies need to adopt to navigate these changes effectively. -
Session 5
Social Roles of Businesses in Overcoming Low Birth Rates
Booyoung Group introduced a childbirth encouragement policy earlier this year, offering 100 million won in cash for each newborn, which sparked significant discussion across society. Since then, more companies have followed suit by introducing childbirth encouragement policies for their employees. This serves as an example demonstrating that the current low birth rate crisis is not solely the government's responsibility but requires action from all stakeholders, including businesses and households. How are companies in countries that experienced a low birth rate crisis before us addressing this issue? What lessons can we learn from them? -
Session 6
Creating a Socially and Culturally Supportive Environment for Improving Marriage Rates and Work-Life Balance
Israel stands out among developed countries for its unusually high fertility rate. With a total fertility rate of 3.0 births per woman as of 2021, Israel significantly surpasses not only South Korea, which had a rate of 0.72 in 2023, but also the OECD average of 1.58. While some attribute this to religious or political factors, we emphasize the importance of a family-centered, inclusive societal and cultural environment among numerous factors. This could potentially provide an answer to why South Korea has particularly low birth rates. We will compare our societal culture with that of other countries and explore potential solutions for South Korea. -
Session 7
Low Birth Rate and a Super-Aged Society: Coexistence of the MZ Generation and the Silver Generation
Even if the birth rate were to rebound immediately, we are inevitably heading towards a super-aged society. Moreover, such demographic changes can exacerbate intergenerational conflicts. Cultural differences between the so-called MZ generation and the silver generation could escalate beyond mere communication difficulties to become social conflicts. Together with writer Song Gil-young, we will explore the societal changes brought about by demographic shifts and seek ways for all generations to coexist harmoniously.
Speakers
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Jennifer SciubbaPh.D., Demographer, Author of ¡°8 Billion and Counting: How Sex, Death, and Migration Shape Our World¡±
Ms. Jennifer Sciubba is an internationally recognized expert in the field of demography. A tenured professor of Political Science at Rhodes College, she is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a Global Fellow at the Wilson Center, which operates under the U.S. Congress. On the 30th of last month, she was appointed President of the Population Reference Bureau (PRB), a nonprofit organization supported by the U.S. government and other entities. Two years ago, she published a book titled 8 Billion and Counting: How Sex, Death, and Migration Shape Our World, which caused a worldwide sensation upon its publication. She has been advocating for the investments needed today to create a better future based upon her deep understanding of global trends in birth, death, and migration. She received an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland.
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Fredrik ReinfeldtFormer Prime Minister of Sweden
Mr. Fredrik Reinfeldt is a Swedish economist turned politician. He served as the leader of the Moderate Party (center-right) from 2003 to 2015, and as Prime Minister from 2006 to 2014. During his tenure, he was praised for effectively handling the 2007-2008 financial crisis through welfare policy reforms and tax cuts. Even after retiring from politics, he transitioned to become a business executive, taking on roles as the chairman of several major Swedish economic organizations, among other diverse activities. Since last year, he has been serving as the President of the Swedish Football Association, overseeing the Swedish football league and the national team.
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Esko AhoFormer Prime Minister of Finland
Mr. Esko Tapani Aho is a former politician turned businessman who, in 1991 at the age of 36, became the youngest Prime Minister in Europe. During his tenure, he implemented bold government restructuring amidst the economic downturn caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union. Despite facing pushback, he ultimately laid the foundation for Finland's economic recovery. After retiring from politics in 2003, he served as President of the Finnish Innovation Fund and Executive Vice President of Nokia, among other roles in the business sector. Currently, he serves as Chairman of the Board of the China Office of the Confederation of Finnish Industries, where he previously served as President, and as a member of the JP Morgan Advisory Council for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions. He is actively involved in consulting for leading global companies and in writing pursuits.
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Alexander WeinrebResearch Director and Chair of Demography of Taub Center for Social Policy Studies
Mr. Alex Weinreb is a world-renowned demographer from Israel. He graduated from the Department of Philosophy and Politics at Durham University in the UK and received his Ph.D. in demography and sociology from the University of Pennsylvania in the U.S. He then worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Chicago and subsequently served as a professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Texas for over a decade. In 2019, he joined the Taub Center for Social Policy Studies in Israel. He is actively conducting research on demographic changes and multiculturalism in various regions of the world, including Southern Africa, the Middle East, and recently, countries with low fertility rates.
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Louise SheinerPolicy Director for Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy, The Brookings Institution
Dr. Louise Sheiner is the Policy Director for the Hutchins Center at the Brookings Institution. She previously served as a senior economist of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Fed). She also served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and as a senior staff economist for the Council of Economic Advisers. She is currently pursuing research on U.S. federal, state and local governments¡¯ fiscal policy, productivity measurement, demographic changes and health policy, and other fiscal and macroeconomic issues. She received her Ph.D. in economics, as well as an undergraduate degree in biology, from Harvard University.
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Barbara WolfeRichard A Easterlin Professor of the Economics and Public Affairs and Affiliate, Institute for Research on Poverty(IRP), University of Wisconsin-Madison
Dr. Barbara Wolfe is an economist currently serving as a Richard A. Easterlin Professor at the University of Wisconsin. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. As an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, she has served as Vice Chair of the National Academy of Sciences Board on Children, Youth and Families, and as the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She was the first woman to serve as Director of the Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP) at the University of Wisconsin. Currently, she continues her research on poverty and health, and recently has been actively publishing papers on public economics, human resources, policy analysis and management, economic surveys, health economics, demography, and more.
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Timothy SmeedingDistinguished Professor of Public Affairs and Economics at University of Wisconsin-Madison
Dr. Timothy Smeeding is a distinguished professor at the University of Wisconsin. As the founding director of the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) from 1983 to 2006, he led the institute for 23 years, advising on issues related to demographic changes, poverty, and inequality for organizations such as the OECD and various countries including South Korea. In 2017, he was named the John Kenneth Galbraith Fellow at the American Academy of Political and Social Science, and in 2022, he received the Roger Herriot Award for Innovation in Federal Statistics. This March, he also chaired a study on an integrated system of statistics at the National Academy of Sciences. He holds his M.S. and Ph.D. in economics from the University of Wisconsin.
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Marcia CarlsonAssociate Dean of Graduate Education and Sewell-Bascom Professor of Sociology of University of Wisconsin-Madison
Professor Marcia Carlson is the Associate Dean of Graduate Education and a professor of sociology at the University of Wisconsin. Her primary research interests center on inequality and public policy, with a particular interest in issues related to families and the connections between children and parents. From 2016 to 2021, she served as the Director of the Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology at the University of Washington, and in 2021, she was the Vice President of the Population Association of America. She is currently a co-principal investigator (CO-PI) for the ¡°NextGenPop¡± program, which aims to recruit the next generation of scholars into population studies.
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Cynthia MillerSenior Fellow of Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation(MDRC)
Dr. Cynthia Miller is a senior researcher at MDRC. She is an economist focusing on policies aimed at increasing employment rates and income for low-wage workers and disadvantaged young adults. She is currently a project director of research on wage subsidies for childcare education workers. Additionally, she is responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of job training programs related to clean energy jobs. Previously, she served as the project director for evaluating the performance of the U.S. government¡¯s youth job training program, ¡°National YouthBuild.¡± She received her Ph.D. in economics from Columbia University.
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James RiccioPrincipal Research Fellow of Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation(MDRC)
Mr. James Riccio is a principal research fellow at MDRC, spearheading the development of new projects. From 2004 to 2021, he directed MDRC¡¯s projects in the areas of economic mobility, housing, and community policy, while conducting research on various U.S. cities. He has researched and proven means for policy innovations related to employment, cash transfers, and social safety nets for vulnerable groups in society including low-wage workers and welfare recipients, among others. He has served on the Board of Directors of The Community Builders, a nonprofit low-income housing developer, and also serves on the same organization¡¯s New York City Housing Committee and Community Life Committee. Currently, he is a member of the Research Methods Advisory Panel for the UK Department of Work and Pensions, and a member of the UN Research Council of the National Alliance to End Homelessness. He holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Princeton University.
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Tatsuo HattaChairman of Asian Growth Research Institute(AGI)
Dr. Tatsuo Hatta is a financial expert serving as a Professor Emeritus at Osaka University and the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Japan. He completed his B.A. in economics at International Christian University in 1965 and his Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University in 1973. He has held various positions, including as an expert member of the Government Tax Commission, the Chair of the Housing and Land Commission, the founding Chair of the Electric and Gas Surveillance Commission, and President of the Japan Economic Association. In 1989, he founded the Asian Growth Research Institute (AGI) with the aim of promoting mutual growth through policy sharing with Asian countries, including South Korea and Japan, and has been actively involved in international academic exchanges.
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Sang-hyop LeeProfessor of Department of Economics, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Dr. Lee Sang-Hyop is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Economics at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He has also served as the Chair of the Executive Council of the National Transfer Accounts Project, which involves researchers from over 70 countries. His studies focus on issues related to the aging population and social welfare. He has authored numerous papers and published 13 books focusing on the aging population and labor market issues, with particular emphasis on Asia and the Korean economy. He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in economics from Seoul National University and a Ph.D. in economics from Michigan State University.
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Chul-in LeeProfessor of Economics, Seoul National University
Mr. Lee Chul-in is a scholar who analyzes major topics in public finance and labor economics based on macroeconomic methodologies. After earning a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Michigan in 1996, he taught at Sungkyunkwan University and is now teaching in the Department of Economics at Seoul National University. His main research topics include optimal taxation, labor supply, human capital, social insurance, national debt, intergenerational mobility, and regional concentration. He served as the President of the Korean Association of Public Finance in 2023 and is currently the Director of the Institute of Economic Research at Seoul National University.
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Chong-bum AnPresident of PERI(Policy Evaluation Research Institute)
Mr. An Chong-Bum is an economist who, after completing his Ph.D. in economics at the University of Wisconsin, returned to Korea and served as a research fellow at Daewoo Economic Research Institute and the Korea Institute of Public Finance, as well as a professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Seoul and Sungkyunkwan University. He also served as President of the Korean Association of Public Finance. He has held public positions as a member of the 19th National Assembly, as well as serving as Senior Secretary to the President for Economic Affairs and Senior Secretary to the President for Policy Coordination. He has authored several books, including 'Tax Reform for Workers and Low-middle Income Bracket,' An Chong-Bum Notebook,' 'Policy in the Notebook,' 'Deceived by Politics while Crying Over Taxes,' 'Reform in Policy Evaluation,' and 'G3 Korea.
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Young-jun ChunProfessor of the Division of Economics and Finance at Hanyang University
Mr. Chun Young-jun is an economist who earned his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1995. He conducted research at the Korea Institute of Public Finance from 1995 to 2002, at Incheon National University from 2002 to 2007, and has been continuing his research at Hanyang University from 2007 onwards. His main research interests include intergenerational equity and welfare systems, optimal tax systems, intergenerational accounting, and general equilibrium modelling. He has participated in various government committees, including the National Pension System Improvement Planning Team (1997), the National Pension Financial Recalculation Committee (2003), the Presidential Transition Committee (2003), the Social Security Finance Statistics Expert Committee (2016-2020), and the Policy Advisory Committee for the Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea (2023-present). He served as the President of the Korean Association of Public Finance from 2022 to 2023.
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Ii-ho YooFormer Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance
Mr. Yoo Il-ho is a politician with a background in economics. After completing his undergraduate studies in economics at Seoul National University and earning his Ph.D. in economics at the University of Pennsylvania, he worked as an economic policy expert at the Korea Development Institute (KDI) and other institutions. He entered politics in 2008 when he was elected as a member of the 18th National Assembly, representing the Grand National Party (currently the People Power Party). He is a two-term member of the National Assembly, having been re-elected as a member of the 19th National Assembly. Thereafter, he served as the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance.
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Dong-chul ChoKDI (Korea Development Institute)
Mr. Cho Dongchul is President of the Korea Development Institute (KDI) and President of the KDI School of Public Policy and Management. Prior to his appointment as President of KDI, he served as a professor at the KDI School of Public Policy and Management (2006-2022) and as a member of the Monetary Policy Board of the Bank of Korea (2016-2020). He has also served as a member of the Presidential National Economic Advisory Council (2013-2016), a member of the Presidential Committee on National Future Planning (2008-2010), Senior Counselor to the Deputy Prime Minister, and Head of the Macro-Policy Advisory Team at the Ministry of Finance and Economy (2005-2006), a member of the Prime Minister's Policy Advisory Committee (2004), and an advisor to the Presidential Transition Committee (2003). He graduated from the Department of Economics at Seoul National University (B.A. in 1984, M.A. in 1986) and received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 1991.
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Yong-joo ParkPresident of Korea Fiscal Information Servic(KFIS)
Mr. Park Yong-joo is an economist currently serving as the President of the Korea Fiscal Information Service. After earning his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Cologne in Germany, he returned to Korea and held various positions, including Director of the Public Enterprise Policy Department at the Ministry of Planning and Budget, Director of the Program Evaluation Council at the National Assembly Budget Office, and Director of the Economic Analysis Department. He also served as Director of the Fiscal Analysis Department, Budget Analysis Deliberation Officer, Director of the Program Evaluation Council, and Director of the Economic Analysis Department at the National Assembly Budget Office. In 2021, he was appointed President of the Korea Fiscal Information Service.
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Yoon-sang KimSecond Vice Minister of Economy and Finance
Mr. Kim Yoon-sang is the Second Vice Minister of Economy and Finance, responsible for overseeing the government¡¯s overall budget and finance. He graduated from the Department of Business Administration and the Graduate School of Public Administration at Seoul National University, and earned his Ph.D. in economics from Michigan State University. He began his public service career in 1992 after passing the 36th Administrative Examination. He is regarded as a traditional bureaucrat with extensive expertise in budgeting and finance. His previous positions include Director General for Financial Decentralization at the Presidential Committee on Autonomy and Decentralization, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Director General for Public Institutions Policy of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Deputy Minister for Fiscal Affairs of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Administrator of the Public Procurement Service. He was appointed as the Second Vice Minister of Economy and Finance in December of last year.
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Hyung-pyo MoonFormer Minister of Health and Welfare of the Republic of Korea
Dr. Moon Hyung-pyo is an economist renowned for his extensive expertise in public economics, social insurance and fiscal policy. He has served several leadership roles including as the CEO and Chairman of the National Pension Service from 2016 to 2017, and as the Minister of Health and Welfare from 2013 to 2015. Prior to that, he was a professor at the KDI School of Public Policy and Management, and held the positions of Chief Economist and Vice President at the Korea Development Institute (KDI). He received his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania.
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Sang-ho KimProfessor of Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)
Mr. Kim Sang-ho is a professor at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) who served as President of the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA). He earned his Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. degrees in economics from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany. Previously, he served as a member and co-chair of the Social Security Committee¡¯s Working Committee, a member of the National Pension Service¡¯s Fund Management Committee, and President of the Korean Social Security Association.
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Chul-hee LeeProfessor of Department of Economics, Seoul National University
Mr. Lee Chulhee is a professor at the Department of Economics at Seoul National University. After receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1996, he taught at the State University of New York and has been a professor at Seoul National University since 1998. He has authored books such as 'Early-Life Determinants of Health and Human Capital Formation: Evidence from Natural Experiments in Korea,' 'Old Labor in Korea,' and 'Workers are Disappearing: The Future of Population and Labor in Korea.' He has published approximately 90 papers in academic journals, including American Economic Review, Journal of Economic History, and Journal of Health Economics. He has served on various government committees, including the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy. He is currently leading the Population Cluster of the Institute for Future Strategy at Seoul National University.
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Hyun-sook KimProfessor of Department of Economics, Soongsil University
Professor Kim Hyun-sook is an economist specializing in childcare services, fertility rates, women¡¯s labor supply, and game theory. She served as the Minister of Gender Equality and Family in the Yoon Suk-yeol administration from May 2022 to February 2024, the Senior Secretary to the President for Employment and Welfare in the Park Geun-hye administration from August 2015 to May 2017, and as a member of the 19th National Assembly from May 2012 to August 2015. During her tenure in public office, she is credited with achievements such as increasing the basic pension and reforming the civil servant pension system.
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Min-soo ParkThe Vice Minister of Health and Welfare of the Republic of Korea Mr. Park Min-soo is the Second Vice Minister of Health and Welfare. He graduated from the Department of Economics at Seoul National University and entered the public sector after passing the 36th Civil Service Examination in 1992 to become a bureaucrat specializing in health and welfare. He has held various key positions within the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and served as the Senior Secretary to the President for Health and Welfare in the Presidential Office for Social Affairs before being appointed as the Second Vice Minister. He is also a certified financial planner and has worked as a Treasury Consultant for the World Bank (WB).
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In-sill YiPresident of the Korean Peninsula Population Institute for Future(KPPIF)
Dr. Yi Insill is a professor currently teaching economics at Sogang University. She has served as the Director of the Nam Duck-Woo Economic Research Institute and the Vice President for Public Affairs. She was the first woman and the first non-governmental person to serve as the 12th Commissioner of Statistics Korea; the first Chief of the Economic Analysis Division at the National Assembly Budget Office; Director of the Center for Finance and Tax for the Korea Economic Research Institute; team leader of the financial analysis team for Hana Bank¡¯s Research Institute; and the Chairperson of the Institute for a Sustainable Economy and Society. She has also served as President of the Korean Women Economists Association, the Korean Economic Association, and the Association of Korean Economic Studies, as well as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Korean Economic Studies, and as a board member and auditor for the Korean Association of Public Finance, the Korean Finance Association, and the Korean Securities Association. She is currently an Honorary President of the Korean Economic Association, the Korean Women Economists Association, and the Association of Korean Economic Studies.
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Seul-ki ChoiStanding Commissioner of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy
Professor Choi Seul-ki is a demographer researching low birth rates and future populations. He earned his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has been a professor at the KDI School of Public Policy and Management since 2009. He is currently serving as a Standing Commissioner of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy.
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Sung-hee LeeVice Minister at Ministry of Employment and Labor
Mr. Lee Sung Hee is Vice Minister of Employment and Labor. After graduating from the Department of Metallurgical Engineering at Seoul National University, he studied business administration at Korea University Graduate School of Labor Studies. A former journalist specializing in labor issues, he has served as a senior research fellow at the Korea Labor Institute, Chief Policy Advisor to the Minister of Construction and Transportation, Chairman of the Incheon Regional Labor Relations Commission (RLRC), and Director of Mediation and Adjudication Bureau at the National Labor Relations Commission. From 2015 to 2017, he served as the Secretary to the President for Employment and Labor.
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Jai-joon HurPresident of Korea Labor Institute
Mr. Hur Jai-Joon is the President of the Korea Labor Institute. He also serves as a member of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy, and of the Economic, Social & Labor Council. Based on research into the impact of technological advancements on the labor market, he is interested in improving labor systems, competition norms, and social security systems by drawing insights from the future implications of digital transformation. He is currently advising the government on establishing future norms for labor-management relations and developing strategies to address Korea's ultra-low birth rate and rapid demographic changes. He has authored books such as 'The Future of Capitalism' (Acanet, 2023) and 'Self-Employment, Platform Labor, and Welfare State' (Hakjisa, 2022).
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Kyung-won NaMember of the National Assembly, Former Vice Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy
Dr. Na Kyung-won is a prominent South Korean politician. She is the only five-term National Assembly member among current female politicians of the People Power Party, serving as a member of the 17th through 20th National Assemblies, in addition to the 22nd. She earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in law from Seoul National University and completed her Ph.D. in international law at the same university. She served as a judge from 1995 to 2002 before entering politics in 2002. In 2022, she served as Vice Chair of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy and as the Ambassador for Climate and Environment for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She also attended the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) as a Special Presidential Envoy.
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Byung-mok JeonPresident of the Korean Association of Public Finance(KAPF)
Mr. Jeon Byung-Mok is currently serving as an Executive Auditor at the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK). He previously worked at the Korea Institute of Public Finance (KIPF) for over 20 years, where he served for 20 plus years as the Head of the Tax Research Division and as a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute of Public Finance (KIPF). He also served as a professor at the KDI School of Public Policy and Management. His research areas include taxation and fiscal policy, and he has been actively involved in social security research (public pensions, health insurance, and so on). He is currently serving as Vice President of the Korean Association of Public Finance and has been designated to be the next President. He received his Ph.D. in economics from Rice University in 2001.
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Jin-kwon HyunPresident of Gangwon Institute
Mr. Hyun Jin-Kwon is President of the Gangwon Institute. He graduated from Yonsei University with a degree in architectural engineering, earned a Master's degree in regional planning from the University of North Carolina, and received his Ph.D. in public policy analysis from Carnegie Mellon University. He has served as a research fellow at the Korea Institute of Public Finance and as a professor in the Department of Economics at Ajou University. He also served as Secretary to the President for Relations with Non-Governmental Organizations. Thereafter, he was the Director of the Social Integration Center at the Korea Economic Research Institute and the Director of the National Assembly Library before leading the Gangwon Research Institute.
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Young-mi KimProfessor of the Department of Social Welfare at Dongseo University
Professor Kim Young-mi earned her Bachelor's and Ph.D. degrees from the Department of Social Welfare at Seoul National University (2007). Thereafter, she has been researching the fields of low fertility rates, family, and social security policies. Her research interests include the impact of social policies on welfare attitudes, gender perceptions, comparative social policy, and the politics of welfare. She served as a standing member of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy (2022) and as the 4th Vice Chair. She has been a member of the Policy Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the Gender Equality Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Fiscal Policy Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Currently, she is a civilian member of the main committee of the Social Security Committee and a member of the System Integration Committee .
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Jae-wan BahkChair, Board of Trustees of Sungkyunkwan University, Former Minister of Economy and Finance
Professor Bahk Jaewan is the Chair of the Board of Trustees at Sungkyunkwan University, and also serves as President of the Hansun Foundation and the Chairman of the Korean Council on Economic Education. After graduating from the Department of Economics at Seoul National University, he completed his Master's and Doctoral degrees in public policy at Harvard University. He began his public service career in the Ministry of Finance (now the Ministry of Economy and Finance) and the Board of Audit and Inspection. Thereafter, he entered politics and served as a member of the National Assembly. He held positions such as Senior Secretary to the President for Political Affairs and National Planning, and subsequently served as the Minister of Employment and Labor and the Minister of Economy and Finance.
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Sun-Eae ChunDean of Graduate School of International Studies at Chung Ang University(GSIS-CAU)
Professor Chun Sun-eae is the Dean of the Graduate School of International Studies at Chung-Ang University. She has served as a director of the Korea International Economic Association, President of the Korean Women Economists Association, and Vice President of the Korea Money & Finance Association. She is also an outside director for financial companies such as Hana Card and DB Insurance.
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Ha-nam BangFormer Minister of Employment and Labor, Distinguished Professor of the Graduate School of Public Administration at Kookmin University.
Ha-nam Bang, former Minister of Employment and Labor
Distinguished Professor of the Graduate School of Public Administration at Kookmin University. He is a scholar specializing in the field of labor, completing his Ph.D in sociology at the University of Wisconsin, and holds a master's degree in sociology from Vanderbilt University. Prior to that, he graduated from the Department of English at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. After his career as a researcher at the Institute for Research on Poverty(IRP), he has been conducting research on middle-age employment and pension systems for 17 years at the Korea Labor Institute(KLI). He has also served as the Minister of Employment and Labor, Director of the KLI, and President of the Korean Pension Association. He has published over 20 books, including ¡®Labor Market Changes and Labor Policy Challenges in the Aging Society¡¯. -
Young-key HwangExecutive Chairman of ChildFund Korea
Mr. Hwang Young-key is President of ChildFund Korea. He is a professional financial expert who has gained diverse experience at Samsung Group, foreign banks, securities firms, and so on. After graduating from the Department of Trade at Seoul National University, he joined Samsung C&T Corporation and worked as a corporate financier in Samsung Group's International Finance Team. He completed a Master's program in finance and economics at the London School of Economics (LSE) in the UK to build specialized knowledge. He subsequently served as CEO of Samsung Securities, Chairman of Woori Financial Group, Chairman of KB Financial Group, Chairman of the Korea Financial Investment Association (KOFIA), and advisor at the law firm Sejong, establishing himself as a leading financial expert in Korea. In June 2022, he was appointed as the 10th President of ChildFund Korea, and in February 2023, he was appointed as the Chairman of the National Council of Charity Korea. As such, he has nowadays been dedicating himself to social service activities.
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Sung-teak KimPresident of Korea Labor Economic Association(KLEA)
Dr. Kim Sung-teak is President of the Korean Labor Economic Association. He obtained his Ph.D. from Brown University in the United States and has contributed to various policy research in the field of employment and labor, serving as Vice President of the Korea Labor Institute, a member of the National Statistics Committee of Statistics Korea, and a member of the Fiscal Management Strategy Committee of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. In his role at the Korean Labor Economic Association, he strives to foster research and discussions that address challenges such as industrial structural changes due to technological advancement, the substitutability of technology and employment, and population decline, among others.
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Seong-guk HongFormer Member of the National Assembly
Mr. Hong Sung-kuk is a field-oriented futurist and former member of the National Assembly who explores Korea's future in line with global changes. He joined Daewoo Securities as a rookie employee in 1988, and in 2014 became the first CEO to have risen from the ranks of new recruits through open recruitment. After serving as the CEO of Mirae Asset Securities until 2016, he engaged with the public through his numerous writings, lectures, contributions, and TV appearances while contemplating the future path upon which ¡°Korean Society Can Set Sail.¡± In 2020, he was elected as a member of the National Assembly for Sejong City (Gap district) with the Democratic Party of Korea, integrating his insights as an analyst and futurist into his political career. He has authored books such as 'Into Deflation,' 'The World Becoming Japan,' 'A Contracting Society,' and 'A Contracting Society 2.0.'
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Hyon-bo SimPartner and Korea Leader at Monitor Deloitte
Mr. Sim Hyon-bo is the leader of the Korean division of Monitor Deloitte, which has been providing various strategic consulting services in over 150 countries since its establishment in 1983. Deloitte Consulting Korea officially launched Monitor Deloitte in the Korean market two years ago to strengthen its domestic strategic consulting capabilities.
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Chul ChungPh.D. in Economics, CRO & President of Korea Economic Research Institute(KERI)
Mr. Chung Chul, after graduating from the Department of Economics at Sogang University, earned his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Michigan. He has served as a professor in the School of Economics at Georgia Tech and as Vice President of the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP). He is currently serving as the Chief Research Officer of the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) and the President of the Korea Economic Research Institute (KERI). He is also co-chair of the Korea National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (KOPEC), an international operating committee member of the Pacific Trade and Development Conference (PAFTAD), and Vice President of the Korean Association of Trade and Industry Studies (KATIS). Since 2007, he has held various positions at KIEP, including Vice President, Acting President, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Investment, Deputy Minister of the Asia-Pacific Region, Secretary General of the APEC Study Centers Consortium, and Editor-in-Chief of the East Asian Economic Review. He has authored numerous academic papers and policy research reports on his main research areas which consist of international trade and economic integration.
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Sean BlakeleyPwC Partner & Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Korea(BCCK)
Completed his master's degree in Political Science and Diplomacy from Seoul National University after graduating from the Department of History at the University of Leeds, England. While residing in Korea for about 20 years, he worked in various consulting fields as an executive of Korean and British companies, and served as the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the British Chamber of Commerce in Korea(BCCK) for 6 years from 2015 to 2021. He is currently providing consulting services to domestic and foreign companies as a partner at PwC, while also serving as a member of the BCCK Executive Committee.
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Jeong-hyun KwonCEO at THENEWGREY Inc.
Mr. Kwon Jung-hyun is an entrepreneur who founded The New Grey, a Korean startup specializing in senior influencers and fashion content. The company produces fashion and lifestyle content for seniors ages 60 and up, pioneering a new lifestyle for seniors. Through the senior model group ¡°Ahjussis,¡± they have gained significant popularity on TikTok and Instagram, surpassing 100 million views with various content. By presenting an active lifestyle for seniors through their senior influencer business, academy programs, and recently launched commerce brand, they help seniors connect with the younger generation and gain confidence through fashion.
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Hwang HeeCEO of KakaoHealthcare
Mr. HwangHee, the CEO of Kakao Healthcare, is focused on building a mobile-based digital healthcare ecosystem. He is planning to expand the business not only in the domestic market but also globally in the U.S., Japan, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. A leading expert in digital healthcare in Korea, he has served as a professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine and in the Brain and Neuroscience Center at Bundang Seoul National University Hospital. In 2019, he was selected as one of the top 50 Digital Healthcare Innovation Leaders by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), and in 2016, he was inducted into the Healthcare IT Hall of Fame by the Asia-Pacific Association for Medical Informatics.
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Yang-su ParkDirector General of Sustainable Growth Initiative, Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Mr. Park Yang-Su is the Director General of the Sustainable Growth Initiative (SGI) at the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Prior to that position, he worked at the Bank of Korea for 32 years, serving as Director General of the Economic Research Institute and Director of the Economic Statistics Department. He has authored numerous and policy reports, as well as books such as ¡®Economic Forecasts in Practice¡¯, ¡¯Heretical Economics for the Capital in the 21st Century.¡¯ He graduated from the Department of Economics at Korea University and received his Ph.D. in economics from Illinois State University.
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Christoph HamannGeneral Manager of Merck Biopharma Korea
Mr. Christoph Hamman is a global business leader with 25 years of experience across seven countries. Before joining Merck, he worked in investment banking and strategic consulting. He joined Merck in 2009, gaining diverse experience in strategic and commercial roles in key markets such as Germany, Switzerland, and the United States. Notably, as the leader of the infertility franchise in the European region, he achieved remarkable success in the infertility treatment and technology sectors. Before leading the corporation in Korea, he oversaw operations in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei.
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Christoph HeiderSenior Advisor of Korea Associates Business Consultancy
Mr. Christoph Heider is the former Secretary-General of the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK). As a German national and a financial and accounting expert, he worked for the German pharmaceutical company Bayer for over ten years before being appointed as the Secretary-General of the ECCK in 2013. He served in this role for ten years until last year, working to promote business cooperation between Europe and Korea. Since last year, he has been serving as a senior advisor at the consulting firm GR Korea.
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Dong-soo LeeCEO of SML MEDITREE Co., Ltd.
Mr. Lee Dong Soo is CEO of SML MEDITREE, a company specializing in clinical trial analysis. He has extensive experience in the healthcare industry, having worked at Janssen Korea, GSK, Dong-A ST, Abbott Diagnostics, and LG Chem's Life Sciences Division in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, in vitro diagnostics, clinical analysis services, and so on. Leveraging his experience at various leading global and domestic companies, he has been driving the growth of the company through strategic differentiation and striving to build a healthy organizational culture that prioritizes talent. Under his leadership, the company has received various certifications such as Family-Friendly Certification, Seoul-type Small Giant, and Youth-friendly Small Giant, and has been recognized as an Exemplary Korean Job-creating Company in 2023 and selected as the only Excellent Work-Life Balance Company by the Seoul Metropolitan Council in 2024.
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Johan VandrommeSenior Advisor at Kim & Chang
Mr. Johan Vandromme is a Senior Advisor at Kim & Chang. A native of Belgium, he has been building connections with Korea since 2007 through his role at the Secretariat of the European Commission in Brussels. He is also an active board member of the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK).
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Jae-hoon JungProfessor
Mr. Jung Jae-hoon is a professor in the Department of Social Welfare at Seoul Women's University. He graduated from the Department of Social Welfare and the Graduate School of Seoul National University, and received his Ph.D. from the Department of Sociology at the University of Trier, Germany. He has served as a special advisor on low birth rates and aging for the Prime Minister¡¯s Office and as the Chairman of the Regional Coexistence Subcommittee of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy. Currently, he is a member of the advisory committee for the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy, a planning specialist for the Social Security Committee of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and a member of the Policy Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Education. His most recent book is The Fear of 0.6 – Korea Disappearing (21st Century Books, February 2024).
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Jong-soog KimPresident
Dr. Kim Jong-soog received her Ph.D. in family economics from the University of Wisconsin in 2001 and was appointed as the 17th President of the Korean Women's Development Institute (KWDI) in January 2024. She has been working at KWDI since 2002 and has served as the Secretary to the President for Women and Family Affairs and President of the Korean Women Economists Association. She has also been a public interest member of the Minimum Wage Commission, a civilian member of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy, and a public interest member of the Incheon Regional Labor Relations Commission. Currently, she serves as the Chair of the Women¡¯s Policy Subcommittee of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's Advisory Committee, and as a Steering Committee member of the UN Women Center of Excellence for Gender Equality.
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Mee-jung ChinProfessor of the Child Development and Family Studies at Seoul National University
Dr. Chin Mee-jung is a professor in the Department of Child Development and Family Studies at the Seoul National University College of Human Ecology. Her areas of expertise include family policy, low birth rate policy, family demography, work-life balance, and lifelong care. She is currently the president of the Society for the Study of Family Policy and serves as an advisor on government policies for the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Education, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government. She is interested in translational research that connects academic research with policy and practice.
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Min-jung KimGeneral Manager of Ferring Pharmaceuticals Korea Co., Ltd.
Angie Kim is a business executive with 20 years of diverse experience across various fields in the global pharmaceutical and medical device industries. With strong leadership and a commitment to building an innovative organizational culture, she has led the growth of Ferring Pharmaceuticals Korea Co., Ltd. She has developed and executed various strategies, achieving significant results not only in Korea but also in the North Asia region, including Hong Kong and Taiwan. Ferring Pharmaceuticals, under the philosophy of 'People come First,' is dedicated to providing innovative medicines to patients and fostering a family-friendly work environment. The company actively supports all employees in forming families and living better lives.
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Min-ae HaCEO of Institute for Future Technology and Culture
Dr. Ha Min-ae is the CEO of the Institute for Future Technology and Culture. He is a business management consultant with a Ph.D. in business administration. He is also active as a columnist, author, and broadcast panelist in areas related to organizational culture, AI ethics, and AI strategy. He has published numerous books, including Image Leadership (Leadership Secrets of Successful CEOs) and Social Power Takes Wing.
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Ji-heon ParkSinger (Leader of V.O.S.)
Mr. Park Ji-Heon is a South Korean singer. He is the leader of V.O.S, South Korea's longest-running male vocal group, which debuted in 2004 and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The group has numerous hit songs, including 'Look Me in the Eyes and Say' and 'Beautiful Life.' He released two single albums last year and remains active as a singer. He is also well-known in the entertainment industry as a celebrity father of many children, raising six children (three sons and three daughters). Outside of his music career, he is actively involved in broadcasting and lecturing on parenting. Furthermore, he serves as an ambassador for various organizations related to low birth rates and social issues, including the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office and Seoul Western Support Center for Crime Victims.
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Gil-young SongMind Miner
Dr. Song Gilyoung is a Mind Miner who unearths the zeitgeist of our era. For over two decades, he has been observing people's everyday records, exploring the reasons behind certain phenomena, and attempting to understand the meaning they seek. With an understanding that individuals' behaviors stem from interactions with groups and adaptation to their environment, he is dedicated to conveying the consensus and transitions of these interactive dynamics. He derives the greatest joy from being inspired by people who engage in deep reflection. His publications include ¡®Your Desires are Visible Here¡¯, ¡®Don't Imagine¡¯, ¡®Don't Just Do It¡¯ and ¡®The Forecast of the times: Era of Nuclear Individuals.¡¯
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Jongryn MoProfessor of International Political Economy at Yonsei University
Professor Mo Jong-rin is known as the ¡°Alley Economist.¡± He is a professor at the Graduate School of International Studies at Yonsei University and is actively engaged in research activities in the fields of international trade, regional development, and urban studies. Notable books of his include Alley Capitalism (2017), Proposing a Humanities Lifestyle (2020), and The Rise of the Neighborhoods Where You Want to Stay (2021). He is currently serving as the Chair of the Local Ecosystem Development Committee under the Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development.