The Korea Development Institute and the National Research Council for Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences (NRC) are pleased to host a special conference on “Shifting the Economic Paradigm to Reignite Growth” featuring Professor Peter Wilkinson Howitt, recipient of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, as we seek new pathways for the Korean economy’s next leap forward.

The Korean economy now stands at a critical juncture—one that calls for a transition beyond the achievements of catch-up growth toward a new growth trajectory. Building on the Schumpeterian theory of growth, this conference aims to examine the challenges of the post-catch-up era and explore strategies for transforming Korea into a frontier economy amid rapid technological advances, including artificial intelligence and robotics. Through rigorous academic analysis and policy dialogue, the conference will also assess structural bottlenecks within Korea’s innovation ecosystem and engage in in-depth discussions on the institutional foundations and the role of government in fostering creative destruction.

We hope this gathering will serve as a meaningful platform for sharing insights and experiences among distinguished experts from Korea and abroad, and for collectively envisioning a new growth path for the Korean economy. Your interest and participation will mark an important step toward shaping the future of our economy.