Economy

The Korean labor market has been a hot topic of discussion recently, with its severe polarization into large firms versus small and medium-sized companies. As previously discussed, regular employees of large companies account for only 12% of the workers in Korea, leaving small and mid-sized companies struggling with chronic labor shortages. This issue is also relevant to Busan, which is home to many small and medium-sized businesses that face similar challenges in attracting and retaining worker

Korea is facing a daunting challenge: a rapidly declining birth rate. The country's total fertility rate of 0.7 is one of the lowest in the world, less than half of the OECD average of 1.59. This trend is particularly evident in major cities such as Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, where the fertility rate is below 0.8. Experts argue that piecemeal and short-term policies are not enough to address this complex issue and that a comprehensive and long-term approach is needed. One promising strategy is

Hyundai Motor Group's announcement that it will recruit production line workers for the first time in a decade has drawn the attention of tens of thousands of job seekers. The recruitment page on Hyundai's website saw over 30,000 visitors on the first day of applications, causing server slowdowns throughout the day, according to the company. This recruitment drive, which ends on March 12, will see Hyundai hire 400 production line workers in July, the first such hiring spree since 2013. The anno

The "medical school black hole" phenomenon is causing concern in Korea as it is resulting in a shortage of talent in other fields. This trend refers to the increasing number of science and engineering students being drawn to medical schools. The recent college entrance exam results have shown that this trend is intensifying, with more students dropping out of their acceptance to attend medical school. This year, 29.5% (1,343) of successful applicants to top universities like Seoul National Univ

Several South Korean shipbuilders are facing delays in production due to a shortage of workers. As a result, local governments are offering unconventional subsidies of around 10 million won (approximately $8,500) to attract more laborers this year. Hyundai Heavy Industries, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, and Samsung Heavy Industries, three of the country's biggest shipbuilders, are experiencing delays of up to two months based on dockyard plans. While the number of orders is increasi

The decision on which country will host the 2030 World Expo hinges on the opening of the Gadeokdo New Airport in Busan. In April, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) will conduct a due diligence visit to evaluate the transportation system, with the airport playing a pivotal role in Busan's bid to host the global event. The method and timeline of the airport's construction are the critical issues that the South Korean government needs to address to ensure that the Gadeokdo New Airport

Busan City has completed the first year of the "Power Semiconductor Talent Sharing University," a joint project by 13 local universities and small and medium-sized businesses aimed at developing human resources for the semiconductor industry. This program, part of the Ministry of Education's LINC 3.0 project, offers specialized courses in semiconductor technology taught by top experts from each of the 11 participating universities. During the first year of the program, 304 out of 324 trainees c

Busan Metropolitan City is set to host a public hearing today to gather feedback on the draft of the "2030 Busan Urban Industrial Area Basic Plan." The hearing, which will take place at 3 pm on the first floor of City Hall, aims to gather input from experts and citizens on the proposed plan, which aims to revitalize and manage urban industrial areas in Busan. The draft plan for the "2030 Busan Urban Industrial Area Basic Plan" was crafted based on the "Special Act on the Management and Revitali

As South Korea faces its own political and economic challenges, there are several key lessons that can be learned from the tumultuous and challenging process of Brexit. The first lesson is that the decision to leave the EU was driven by a desire for independence, but in reality, it has resulted in self-isolation, which has not been good for the British economy. South Korea, as a small country with an open economy, should avoid self-isolation and instead prioritize exchange with the wider world.

South Korea's population has been increasingly concentrated in the Seoul Capital Area (SCA) over the past few decades, leading to overcrowding, high living costs, and a decline in quality of life. The SCA accounts for over half of the country's population and holds most of the nation's public institutions, leading to a significant concentration of wealth and resources in the region. The Government's Proposal for Public Institution Relocations To address this issue, the government has proposed

As Busan's vision for a revitalized local economy draws closer, the city is preparing to take an important step towards making it a reality. The Busan Research and Development (R&D) Special Zone project, aimed at building an innovation ecosystem in the shipbuilding and marine industry, is set to start construction in 2026, and the city is accelerating its efforts to remove the green belt (GB) from the project site. After a five-month consultation process with the Ministry of Environment regardi

South Koreans continue to work more than their counterparts in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). According to OECD data, South Koreans worked 1,915 hours last year, ranking sixth among the 38 OECD member nations. The number of hours was down 10.3% from 2011. Korea's long working hours relates the lowest fertility rate South Korea also has the lowest fertility rate in the world and a fast-aging population. Concerns are ascending that the burden on the economy a