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October 15, 2026Oct 15, 2026

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

John Lee

John Lee

John Lee is the Managing Editor of Korea Pro, based in Seoul, where he leads daily executive briefings, in-depth analyses and high-level events for business leaders, diplomats and policy professionals. Since joining Korea Pro in 2022, he has expanded the platform’s coverage of South Korea’s economy, trade and foreign policy and moderates its flagship Korea Business Forum and Seoul Circuit series. Before taking the helm at Korea Pro, John contributed to NK News and Korea Pro as a writer focused on South Korean foreign policy and U.S.-ROK relations. His work blends on-the-ground reporting with data-driven analysis of South Korea’s political economy, economic security and its evolving role in global affairs.

Analysis

Why South Korea’s productivity lead over Japan is an economic illusion

Rising output per hour masks dual-sector stagnation, shrinking labor pools and new regulatory risks for investors

John LeeJohn LeeDecember 23, 2025
Analysis

Risk Migration: Defining South Korea’s structural economic shift in 2026

Stability in 2025 came at a structural cost as policy options narrow and economic pressure shifts to domestic firms

John LeeJohn LeeDecember 17, 2025
Analysis

South Korea-UK trade deal is a win for autos but a strategic supply chain trap

Deal saves Korean EVs from tariffs but risks locking in China dependence, diverging from US and EU economic security

John LeeJohn LeeDecember 16, 2025
Analysis

Hanwha’s Austal deal deputizes South Korea for AUKUS and US nuclear strategy

The acquisition integrates Seoul into the US nuclear supply chain while exposing it to Chinese coercion and labor risks

John LeeJohn LeeDecember 15, 2025
Analysis

Korea Pro 2026 Investor Risk Index reveals deep structural economic split

Alliance sectors boom while domestic firms face insolvency and labor collapse amid capital flight and policy paralysis

John LeeJohn LeeDecember 10, 2025
Analysis

South Korean chaebol freeze investment plans in revolt against Lee Jae Myung

Business lobby survey shows 60% of top firms have halted 2026 capital investment plans, citing tax and labor risks

John LeeJohn LeeDecember 8, 2025
Analysis

Why South Korea’s 2026 budget institutionalizes state risk

Government offloads industrial policy debt onto state bank’s balance sheet, creating massive target for US trade hawks

John LeeJohn LeeDecember 5, 2025
Analysis

Why Coupang’s data disaster may have handed South Korea a regulatory cudgel

Data leak provides cover for aggressive regulations as US trade deal constrains new monopoly legislation

John LeeJohn LeeDecember 1, 2025
Month In Review

South Korea in November 2025: A month in review and what’s ahead

An analytical look at the main developments from Nov. 1 to 26, 2025, and key outlook for December 2025

John LeeJohn Lee | Joon Ha Park | KOREA PRONovember 28, 2025
Analysis

BOK faces narrow policy options as currency volatility tests growth, stability

Central bank holds policy rate steady at 2.5% as won’s depreciation constrains monetary freedom

John LeeJohn LeeNovember 27, 2025
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