The Happiness Cliff: Why Korea’s Success Isn’t Making Life Better
South Korea is famous for its rapid economic rise, technological leadership and global cultural influence. But several core measures of wellbeing are moving in the opposite direction, with the country continuing to record the highest suicide rate in the OECD. More adults in their 30s are stepping out of the labor force, and elderly loneliness is climbing as the number of single-person households grow across the country. These dynamics reveal a widening gap between national prosperity and the lived experience of many people in Korea.
The question then becomes: Why does economic progress not automatically produce social or emotional stability?
For our first Seoul Circuit of the year, we bring together Professor Peck Cho, whose long-standing work in mental health and human development focuses on how early attachment, family change and social connection shape long-term wellbeing. Korea Pro editor John Lee will complement this with structural insights into housing pressures, labor market precarity and demographic change.
Together, they will explore how Korea’s trajectory compares with broader global patterns and what makes the country’s situation distinct.
This session is designed for diplomats, policy makers, scholars and business leaders who wish to understand not only Korea’s current social landscape but also the broader question of what sustainable wellbeing will require in the years ahead.
Date:
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Time:
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Includes:
Gwanghwamun, Seoul
Location:
Pizza, chicken, and salad
An evening built for real conversation
- Drinks are not included in the ticket price, and are payable to venue.
- The payment details will be sent to you via email upon confirming your registration.
- In-person attendance has limited spots, and KOREA PRO Members receive RSVP prioritization.
- Please note that photographs will be taken during the event. By registering, you agree to their usage for all media purpose.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations within 48 hours of the event or for no-shows.
If a refund is requested, the amount will be returned excluding applicable transaction fees.
How to register
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We'll be joined by
John Lee is the editor of Korea Pro, based in Seoul, where he leads daily executive briefings, in-depth analyses and high-level events for business leaders, diplomats and policy professionals. Since joining Korea Pro in 2022, he has expanded the platform’s coverage of South Korea’s economy, trade and foreign policy and moderates its flagship Korea Business Forum and Seoul Circuit series. Before taking the helm at Korea Pro, John contributed to NK News and Korea Pro as a writer focused on South Korean foreign policy and U.S.-ROK relations. His work blends on-the-ground reporting with data-driven analysis of South Korea’s political economy, economic security and its evolving role in global affairs.
Registration form
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We'll be joined by
Peck Cho (조벽)
Co Director, HD Happiness Research Institute
Professor Peck Cho is a Distinguished Professor at Korea University and Co-Director of the HD Happiness Research Institute. Trained as both an engineer and a counseling supervisor, he is a member of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea and has significantly contributed to national policy, serving as an advisor for the Ministry of Education on student mental health, co-chairing the National Committee on Student Violence, and a member of National Committee on Gender Equality.
He has been featured in EBS DocuPrime as one of the world's leading educators and has delivered lectures for the National Assembly, major Korean conglomerates, and over 180 universities. His interdisciplinary work, which draws on engineering, psychology, and human development, focuses on how rapid social change, family structures, and early attachment shape long-term mental well-being in modern Korea.
Seoul Circuit
Seoul Circuit
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General Admission
60,000 KRW
Korea Pro Standard
30,000 KRW
Korea Pro Premium
Free admission
Admission Fee
Professor Peck Cho is a Distinguished Professor at Korea University and Co-Director of the HD Happiness Research Institute. Trained as both an engineer and a counseling supervisor, he is a member of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea and has significantly contributed to national policy, serving as an advisor for the Ministry of Education on student mental health, co-chairing the National Committee on Student Violence, and a member of National Committee on Gender Equality.
He has been featured in EBS DocuPrime as one of the world's leading educators and has delivered lectures for the National Assembly, major Korean conglomerates, and over 180 universities. His interdisciplinary work, which draws on engineering, psychology, and human development, focuses on how rapid social change, family structures, and early attachment shape long-term mental well-being in modern Korea.
사업자명: 엔케이컨설팅코리아
사업자등록번호: 459-84-00046 | 대표: OCARROLL CHAD
사업장 주소: 서울특별시 종로구 새문안로 92, 1612호, 1613호
유선번호 : 070-4119-7800
Josh Smith
Korea Bureau Chief, Reuters
A dinner table conversation that cuts past the headlines
A series of exclusive, engaging gatherings designed for the Korea Pro community, connecting you with key opinion leaders, journalists, and experts on South Korean affairs.
John Lee,
Editor of Korea Pro
Seoul Circuit
A dinner table conversation that cuts past the headlines
A series of exclusive, engaging gatherings designed for the Korea Pro community, connecting you with key opinion leaders, journalists, and experts on South Korean affairs.
Peck Cho (조벽)
Co Director, HD Happiness Research Institute
John Lee is the editor of Korea Pro, based in Seoul, where he leads daily executive briefings, in-depth analyses and high-level events for business leaders, diplomats and policy professionals. Since joining Korea Pro in 2022, he has expanded the platform’s coverage of South Korea’s economy, trade and foreign policy and moderates its flagship Korea Business Forum and Seoul Circuit series. Before taking the helm at Korea Pro, John contributed to NK News and Korea Pro as a writer focused on South Korean foreign policy and U.S.-ROK relations. His work blends on-the-ground reporting with data-driven analysis of South Korea’s political economy, economic security and its evolving role in global affairs.