—Evaluating 2015 Korean Economy and Global Economy

On November 21 and 22, Yonsei leaders, government officials, and business and economics experts gathered at the international campus (YIC) in Songdo for the inaugural Songdo-Yonsei Global Leaders Forum.  Held in the International Conference Hall of the Underwood Memorial Library, the forum’s theme was “2015 Economy and Business Management Trends: Future and Solutions.” The two-day event provided a dynamic venue for discussing current and future economic trends, both domestically and worldwide.

Professor Lee Doo-won, director of the Yonsei Mirae Education Institute, presided over the forum, and the opening address was given by Yonsei President Jeong Kap-young. In his speech, President Jeong emphasized the need to look forward: “For our society and economy to survive in this competitive global era, we need to look beyond the present. There needs to be passionate and creative innovation, more challenging educational opportunities, and a visionary, entrepreneurial mindset. This Songdo-Yonsei Global Leaders Forum is an ideal place to promote such a learning environment and foster the spirit of entrepreneurship. At the same time, it allows for discussions of mutual collaboration, fair competition, and ways of giving back to society.”  

In the forum’s first session, Deputy Vice Minister for Strategy and Finance Joo Hyoung-hwan spoke on the “Current Economic Situation and Directions of Economic Strategies.” This was followed by “Korean Economy: Evaluation and Future,” which was presented by Korea Economic Association President Kim Jung-sik.  The second session was opened by Incheon Metropolitan City Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, whose speech was titled “Incheon’s Dream, Korean Future.”  YIC Vice President Oh Se-jo and University Affairs Director Kim Sang-joon then gave a presentation on Yonsei’s “Third Founding.” In the final session, Bank of Korea Governor Lee Ju-yeol lectured on “The Dilemma of Monetary Policies,” while Deputy Governor Kwon In-won of the Financial Supervisory Service spoke on the “Dilemma and Vision of Financial Industries.” The lectures concluded with “Real Estate Policies and Directions,” provided by Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Suh Seoung-hwan.

Each of the sessions offered a valuable platform for discussing academic economic theories and the concrete experiences of senior professionals in the economic and finance sectors. The viewpoints expressed and analyses provided by the speakers gave rise to spirited and constructive debates on the business and economic realities of 2015 and beyond. 

Remarkable Progress of International Campus and Residential College

The fact that the Songdo-Yonsei Global Leaders Forum was held at the YIC was significant in several regards.  In addition to providing an important venue for examining corporate strategies and the present and future of the Korean economy, the forum served to promote Incheon as a global city and highlight the YIC’s crucial role in that process. In his speech, Mayor Yoo pointed to the planning and execution of Songdo as a model for progress, emphasizing the city’s potential for international investment due to its strategic location. At the same time, the forum allowed Yonsei officials to introduce the vision of “The Third Founding” to government officials and corporate leaders.

During the forum, participants stayed in YIC dormitories, witnessing firsthand the campus’s vibrant residential environment, in which students learn, study, and live together, while engaging in spirited intellectual debates and a variety of extracurricular activities. Following the experience, many of the forum’s participants expressed their admiration for the campus and its Residential College (RC) program.   

             As one of the forum’s goals was to situate Korean economic and business trends in an international context, the YIC provided an ideal locale due its position at the forefront of internationalization in Korean higher education. Throughout the event, Yonsei officials emphasized that the university embraces its role of supporting Incheon and Songdo in their efforts to internationalize and procure international investment. Everyone agreed that the success of Incheon is integrally related to that of Yonsei. As such, the university will continue to play a vital function in integrating knowledge, innovation, and growth through culture, art, and the humanities, as well as through programs in economics and business management.