[New Book] The Time of Korea – Speaking of Hope on the Edge of the Grand Canyon

[Financial News] Talentism Economics scholar Hyo Soo Lee, in his new book 'The Time of Korea,' diagnoses the unprecedented crisis facing Korea as a 'Valley of Death' and emphasizes the urgent need for a paradigm shift to overcome it.
In his book, Professor Lee warns that Korea currently stands before four major 'Valleys of Death.' These include the 'Demographic Valley' caused by ultra-low birth rates, the 'Economic Valley' resulting from the loss of growth engines, the 'Political Valley' stemming from regressive political culture, and the 'Security Valley' triggered by dramatic changes in the international order.
He particularly highlights the severity of the rapidly changing population structure with concrete figures. By 2040, it is projected that 7.3 million people of working age—the equivalent of the combined 2025 populations of Daegu, Busan, and North Jeolla Province—will disappear, along with 4.5 million core workers, which is half the population of Seoul in 2025.
Nevertheless, Professor Lee also analyzes that three major historic opportunities are emerging alongside these crises: the global popularity of the Korean Wave (Hallyu) and the globalization of Korean culture; the competitiveness of Korean companies and technologies leading the global market; and the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, centered on talent.
Hyo Soo Lee describes the present moment as a 'timing for paradigm shift and reform,' warning that if action is delayed, these valleys will deepen and widen, swallowing up countless companies, universities, and jobs.
For individuals, he proposes survival strategies based on the paradigm of the 'era of talentism,' as the foundations of life—marriage, childbirth, employment, and retirement—are all being shaken. For companies, he suggests innovation in the PDR System amid the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and the platform economy. For the government, he recommends a fundamental transformation into a 'talentism nation.'
Professor Lee stresses, "Now is the decisive moment for Korea to leap from the brink of decline to become an advanced economic powerhouse," adding, "The Time of Korea will be the key to opening that path."
The author, who earned his Ph.D. in economics from Seoul National University (SNU) and served as president of Yeungnam University, is currently an emeritus professor at Yeungnam University. He has published a total of 21 books, including 'Talentism Economics' and 'Invest in Y-Type Talent.' Notably, he has proposed numerous original theories from the perspective of Talentism Economics, and this book is the culmination of 30 years of research.
rsunjun@fnnews.com Yoo Sun-joon Reporter