Can’t change – won’t change

The men charged with sorting out Korea's sickly, debt-laden corporate sector are making many of the right noises, but old habits are proving hard to break. A year after they went bust, Kia is still churning out cars and Jinro is still brewing the nation's favourite tipple. Jack Lowenstein reports on the dangerous brew of nationalism, legal failings and bureaucratic intransigence which is preventing Korea Inc from getting back on its feet.

Good banks, bad banks, ugly banks

“We have to rebuild our credibility with the international market,” says Lee Hun-jai, one of the last scions of Korea’s ancient monarchy, and as chairman of the recently formed Financial Services Commission the man in the hottest seat in Korea’s battle to stabilize its economy. “To do that we have to go through the ‘paradox of credit transparency’. That means our problems will be disclosed and foreign investors may not want to do business with us.

Access intelligence that drives action

To unlock this research, enter your email to log in or enquire about access