In a speech at the IIF Spring Membership Meeting in Beijing in June, South Korean prime minister Han Seung-soo explained how the lessons learned from the Asian crisis of 1997 has helped his country come through the current recession in better shape than most.

South Korea has enjoyed miraculous economic growth for the past four decades, setting it apart from many of its Asian peers. But as an engine of export and an overleveraged economy, it is now highly exposed to the global financial crisis. Writer Michelle Price

The acquisition by international giant HSBC of the Korea Exchange Bank would benefit both parties, but is politically sensitive. Stephen Timewell reports.

Competition among South Korea’s financial institutions is intensifying, and consolidations are still on the cards. Local giants such as Shinhan Bank are looking to neighbouring markets for opportunities. Karina Robinson reports.

The Banker invites CEOs from around the world to discuss the economic climate in their country and institution, and their hopes for the future

South Korea’s banks have been suffering wide profit swings. Park Sang-soo reports from Seoul on their efforts to find alternative sources of income to beef up their profitability.

In a bid to boost South Korea’s sluggish economy, the government has revised asset management laws to encourage the growth of private equity funds. But the move has its opponents, as Kim Ji-hyun reports.