The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI, President & CEO Marie Antonia von Schönburg) held the KGCCI Economic Outlook 2026 on January 29 at the Fairmont Ambassador Hotel in Seoul. The event brought together around 80 business leaders, governmental officials, and industry experts to discuss the outlook of the Korean and global economy and to explore opportunities for deepening Korean-German economic cooperation amid growing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
The event featured distinguished guests and speakers, including H.E. Georg Schmidt, German Ambassador to the Republic of Korea; Seung Heon Lee, former Senior Deputy Governor of the Bank of Korea and Professor at Soongsil University Graduate School of Business; Marie Antonia von Schönburg, President & CEO of KGCCI; and Katharina Viklenko, Director and Correspondent Korea at Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI). Speakers shared in-depth insights into macroeconomic trends, bilateral relations, and strategic considerations for businesses navigating an increasingly complex global environment.
In her opening remarks, Hyun-nam Park, Korean Chairperson of KGCCI, underscored the resilience and long-term depth of Korean–German economic ties, stating, “In a year defined by deepening economic interdependence and expanding strategic cooperation, the Korean–German partnership remains a pillar of stability and opportunity. Despite heightened geopolitical uncertainty, companies from both countries are uniquely positioned to convert shared values of innovation, resilience, and sustainability into tangible growth. KGCCI will continue to strengthen these ties and support our members in transforming global challenges into collaborative opportunities through practical cooperation.”
Against the backdrop of rising geopolitical and economic uncertainty, H.E. Georg Schmidt, German Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, emphasized the increasing importance of partnerships between like-minded countries and reaffirmed the shared values and long-standing cooperation between Germany and Korea. Highlighting the year’s key milestone, he noted, “I am confident that the Asia-Pacific Conference (APK) — the flagship gathering of the German business community in Asia-Pacific — to be held in Seoul this October, will make a significant contribution to bringing our two countries even closer together.”
Delivering the keynote address titled “Korean Economic Outlook and Key Issues,” Seung Heon Lee, former Senior Deputy Governor of the Bank of Korea and Professor at Soongsil University Graduate School of Business, provided an in-depth analysis of Korea’s macroeconomic outlook. He emphasized that “2026 must become a turning point that goes beyond a cyclical recovery and reshapes Korea’s growth trajectory for the next decade.” He further noted, to overcome the structural vulnerabilities of the won, Korea must expand domestic investment opportunities and strengthen the capital market’s resource-allocation function to rebuild its growth foundation. He added that market infrastructure capable of absorbing exchange-rate volatility should also be further developed in order to enhance the economy’s productivity and competitiveness.
Katharina Viklenko, Director and Correspondent Korea at GTAI, offered an overview of Korea’s economic environment from the perspective of German companies. She highlighted both near-term challenges, including global trade tensions and currency volatility, and long-term opportunities in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, energy transition, digitalization, and emerging technologies. “Overall, Korea is poised for higher GDP growth in 2026, driven primarily by strong global demand for semiconductors amid the worldwide AI boom,” she said. “At the same time, the sharp divergence between AI-related and non-AI sectors—following a ‘K-shaped’ pattern across industries—as well as the weak Korean won, remain key vulnerabilities for the country’s economic development.”
The event concluded with a Q&A session moderated by Marie Antonia von Schönburg, President & CEO of KGCCI. The discussion brought together perspectives from across industries, highlighting the importance of collaboration and innovation in further strengthening Korean–German business ties.
