KOR

KOREA CAPITAL MARKET INSTITUTE

KOR

Research Staff

LEE, Seungho Senior Research Fellow Macro-Financial Analysis

Research Field

Education: Ph.D., Economics, American University, 1996; MA, Economics, American University, 1993; Business Administration, Yonsei Univ. 1989

Professional Experience: Senior Research Fellow, Korea Capital Market Institute, 2011.1~; Senior Economist, IMF(APD), 2006.1~2009.1; Deputy Head, The Bank of Korea, 1989.1~2010.12

Need and Directions for Reform of the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act Senior Research Fellow LEE, Seungho / Oct. 24, 2022

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Recent changes in US dollar funding market and its implications on Korea Senior Research Fellow LEE, Seungho and others / Jan. 22, 2021

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Effects of FX Hedging on Korea’s Outward Portfolio Investment Senior Research Fellow LEE, Seungho and others / Jan. 25, 2019

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A Thought on Downside Risks to the Korean Economy in 2023 / Jan. 17, 2023: As persistent external uncertainties and the threat of stagflation are expected to keep raising interest rates this year, the Korean economy is likely to face financial market strains, owing to rising household debt payment pressures, the spike in corporate financing costs and the decline in property prices. In light of these developments, monetary policy, one of the key pillars of macroeconomic policy, should be geared toward minimizing the real economy’s contraction and sustaining financial stability as well as recovering price stability. In terms of fiscal policy, Korea should expand spending to facilitate private investment and improve productivity in the corporate sector. Also necessary is to maintain fiscal soundness and shore up sovereign creditworthiness in preparation for external uncertainties. Additionally, it needs to bolster international cooperation frameworks in consultation with other economies to better deal with geopolitical risks while stepping up efforts to establish economic security.

Structural Characteristics and Advancement of the Korean Won FX Market / Aug. 09, 2022: Korea’s foreign exchange market has achieved quantitative growth at a slower pace than the demand for foreign exchange transactions. It has a structural characteristic that offshore NDF transactions by non-residents boost foreign exchange volatility. The recent government plan for improving the FX market aims to permit foreign investors to participate in the domestic market and extend trading hours. If the plan is implemented, Korea’s spot exchange market would partially accommodate the demand for NDF transactions by offshore market participants, thereby facilitating liquidity provision and alleviating exchange rate volatility. It is also expected to enhance foreign investors’ confidence in the Korean won FX market. In the medium and long term, Korea should exert continuous efforts for the advancement of the FX market to ensure that the Korean won is freely traded in major global financial hubs.

Need and Directions for the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act Reform Amid Changing Macroeconomic Conditions / Mar. 22, 2022: Korea’s Foreign Exchange Transactions Act has contributed significantly to stabilizing the balance of payments and achieving external soundness. However, rapidly changing macroeconomic conditions in Korea and abroad have reinforced the need for a sweeping revision of the Act. Korea has already shifted from a nation with a foreign exchange shortage to a capital exporter. International capital transactions and non-banking financial institutions have increased their presence in Korea’s foreign transactions. Furthermore, the development of growth engines in the aging society is regarded as a challenge of paramount importance. Under these circumstances, it would be desirable to amend the existing Foreign Exchange Transactions Act, with the focus on improving convenience and autonomy in FX transactions, strengthening non-banking financial institutions’ capability in the FX and external sectors, creating growth engines through more effective inbound and outbound investment, and overhauling the legal framework to sustain external soundness.

Changing Environments of Monetary Policy Stance and Its Implications on Macroprudentiality / Aug. 24, 2021: With the upward trend of global inflation to continue into this year, major economies including the US are expected to witness a change in monetary policy stance and transition towards higher interest rates in the near future. Amid recent price hikes, Korea is also experiencing intensified financial imbalance where private sector debt has surged on the back of the increase in liquidity and leverage with prices of assets like property and stocks being on the rise. This reinforces the need for raising the policy interest rate. However, a steep rise in interest rates could aggravate interest payment burden of economic agents and thus, hinder domestic demand from entering a recovery phase. Also noteworthy is the possibility that rising inflation would trigger greater volatility of the financial market. Therefore, a monetary policy shift should be aligned with an inflation target by reflecting visible signs of recovery in the real economy and the job market, with focus on maintaining macro-prudentiality.