Skip to content
Topic Desk

Economy

Coverage of the economy, markets, industry, labor, trade, and financial policy across Korea and the global economy.

BiB mark

Reporting and analysis from Breeze in Busan

Desk Focus

This desk follows markets, labor, inflation, investment, and policy shifts shaping Busan and the wider Korean economy.

The Quiet Death of Korea’s Local Economies
EconomyJun 3, 2025

The Quiet Death of Korea’s Local Economies

Korea’s self-employed are disappearing — not from laziness or lack of innovation, but from operating in a system designed to make survival improbable. Without bold structural reform, small businesses will remain the shock absorbers of economic failure, not beneficiaries of national growth.

South Korea’s ‘Disengaged Workforce’ Hits Record High
EconomyMar 17, 2025

South Korea’s ‘Disengaged Workforce’ Hits Record High

For the first time, South Korea’s economically inactive population among young adults has surpassed 500,000, with 30-somethings exiting the workforce at record rates. Experts warn of severe long-term consequences if urgent labor reforms are not implemented.

America’s Financial Crisis as Debt Rises and Wages Stagnate
EconomyFeb 9, 2025

America’s Financial Crisis as Debt Rises and Wages Stagnate

The U.S. faces a financial crisis as debt hits $1.17 trillion and wages stagnate. With 37 million Americans in poverty, rising costs are deepening economic insecurity. Will policy changes like a higher minimum wage and credit card rate caps offer relief, or will financial instability worsen?

South Korea’s Political Turmoil and Its Economic Fallout
EconomyJan 17, 2025

South Korea’s Political Turmoil and Its Economic Fallout

South Korea’s economy is facing one of its most challenging periods following the unprecedented declaration of martial law by President Yoon Suk Yeol, a decision swiftly reversed amid public and political backlash. The brief yet impactful episode has not only rattled financial markets but also created ripples of uncertainty across sectors ranging from consumer spending to foreign investment. The declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024, shocked both domestic and international observers. S

Page 3 of 8