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Korea University Business School to Host CEMS Annual Events and Graduation Ceremony in Asia for the

Korea University Business School to Host CEMS Annual Events and Graduation Ceremony in Asia for the First Time   Korea University Business School (KUBS) will welcome the CEMS global community to Seoul from 25 to 28 November 2026 for four days of meetings, discussions and celebrations, culminating in the CEMS Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, 28 November. For the first time in the alliance's history, the Annual Events will take place in Asia, bringing together academic representatives and graduands from all 33 CEMS member schools worldwide.   CEMS is a global alliance of 33 leading business schools, more than 70 multinational companies and eight social partners (NGOs), jointly building and delivering the CEMS Master’s in International Management (MIM).    The Global Alliance of Management Education comes together in Korea  Hosting the Annual Events in Seoul reflects the global reach of the alliance and its strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region, which is home to seven CEMS member schools, including six in Asia. Korea University Business School joined the alliance in November 2015. As the host institution, KUBS will welcome representatives from the alliance's 32 other leading business schools, alongside graduands and their guests, who will gather at COEX for the CEMS Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, 28 November. The programme will bring together the CEMS community for strategic discussions, collaborative meetings and international networking opportunities, while offering participants the chance to experience Korea's culture, innovation and hospitality. Founded in 1905, Korea University Business School has a long tradition of pioneering business education and fostering international collaboration. Hosting the CEMS Annual Events offers an opportunity to further strengthen connections between academic institutions and the business community across continents. “Hosting the CEMS Annual Events in Asia for the first time, especially here in Seoul, is a proud moment for KUBS and its history of more than 120 years. We hope this gathering will strengthen global partnerships and inspire the next generation of business leaders,” said Seung-Weon Yoo, Dean of Korea University Business School. Supported by CEMS Corporate Partners The 2026 CEMS Annual Events are proudly supported by Hyundai Motor Group, Main Sponsor of this year's edition. As a CEMS Corporate Partner, Hyundai plays an important role in supporting the alliance's mission to develop the next generation of responsible global business leaders. Its support is instrumental in bringing the international CEMS community together in Seoul for this first edition in Asia. Sanofi, also a longstanding CEMS Corporate Partner, is supporting this year's edition as the CEMS Managers' Event Sponsor.   About Korea University Business School  Founded in 1905 as Korea's first business school, KUBS has been at the forefront of business education, research, and internationalization for over 120 years. With 96 full-time faculty members, KUBS offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, graduate, MBA, DBA, and executive education programs. KUBS's international standing is reflected in major global rankings. The School ranked 33rd worldwide in Marketing (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026) and 57th in Business & Economics (THE World University Rankings by Subject 2026). In the QS Global MBA Rankings 2027, KUBS ranked 75th worldwide, 11th in Asia, and 1st in Korea, with an outstanding 9th place globally for Return on Investment. KUBS has built an extensive global network of partnerships with more than 130 universities across 40 countries. It was the first business school in Korea to earn both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations and has maintained both to this day. As Korea's only CEMS member school since 2015, KUBS continues to expand opportunities for international learning and collaboration. Guided by its mission, “Business for Society-Inspiring Next Leaders,” KUBS continues to innovate through initiatives in AI, ESG, entrepreneurship, and interdisciplinary education, preparing future business leaders to address global challenges. KUBS is also recognized for its extensive alumni network, whose members have made significant contributions to business, government, and society in Korea and around the world, including through leadership roles at major corporations such as Hyundai Motor Group, SK, GS, and Mirae Asset.   More about Korea University Business School https://biz.korea.ac.kr/eng/main/   About CEMS The Global Alliance of Management Education CEMS is a global alliance where 33 leading business schools and over 70 companies and NGOs do something no one else does at this scale: they jointly build and deliver a Master's in International Management. One shared curriculum. One joint programme. Across six continents. Students study at two or more universities across borders, work on challenges set by Corporate and Social Partners, and join a community that stays with them long after graduation. 23,000+ alumni still call themselves CEMSies and still mean it. Founded in 1988 on the belief that the world needs responsible and global leaders, CEMS has always been a bridge: between academia and industry, between cultures, and between knowledge and values. Key figures More about CEMS:  www.cems.org   About Hyundai Motor Group   Hyundai Motor Company has driven the development of Korea’s automobile industry since the release of the iconic Pony in 1975, the first car fully developed in Korea. The company caters to a range of lifestyles with a full spectrum across auto industry sectors and models. This includes Hyundai Motor’s premium brand, GENESIS, and its high-performance Hyundai N brand, demonstrating its technological prowess. Hyundai Motor Company is honing its competitive edge through a lineup of fully electric vehicles and next-generation hybrid technology while accelerating the development of a mobility ecosystem of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). We are also striving for the rapid establishment of a hydrogen-oriented society by spearheading not only hydrogen mobility but also the construction of a full end-to-end hydrogen value chain. Hyundai Motor Company continues to pursue “Progress for Humanity” to achieve its vision of a safer, freer world built on human-centered mobility.   More about Hyundai Motor Group:  https://talent.hyundai.com/eng/    About Sanofi We are an R&D driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and creating compelling growth. Our team is guided by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.   We’re on a mission to go further, faster for patients. To take the lead through breakthrough science and by striving to be a driver of progress and positive impact for the people and communities we serve. We want to build a healthier, more resilient world. We turn the impossible into the possible by discovering, developing, and delivering medicines and vaccines for millions of people around the world. More about Sanofi: www.sanofi.com/en    

2026.11.13KUBS PR

Welcome Address by Dean Seung-Weon Yoo at the CEMS Graduation Ceremony 2026

Welcome Address by Dean Seung-Weon Yoo at the CEMS Graduation Ceremony 2026     It is an honor to welcome you to the CEMS Graduation Ceremony 2026 in Korea. As the first CEMS Annual Events to be held in Asia, this is a particularly meaningful occasion for Korea University Business School (KUBS), a proud member of the CEMS Global Alliance since 2015.   On behalf of KUBS, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the CEMS Class of 2026 and warmly welcome the families, friends, faculty, and partners who have supported you throughout this journey.   KUBS has built a proud legacy spanning more than 120 years. We became the first business school in Korea to earn both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations and have partnerships with more than 130 universities in 40 countries. Throughout our history, I believe our progress has been driven by our people and our willingness to embrace change. This same spirit is reflected in your CEMS journey: working across borders, adapting to unfamiliar environments, and learning alongside peers from around the world.   CEMS embodies what a business school should be: a place where diverse perspectives meet, ideas flourish, and meaningful collaborations begin. I hope the connections you have built will continue to enrich your lives and careers.   As you embark on the next chapter of your lives, I encourage you not to wait for opportunities to come your way. Seek them out, set your own goals, forge your own paths, and lead with a strong sense of responsibility to society.   Congratulations once again to the CEMS Class of 2026. May this milestone mark not an ending, but the beginning of an exciting new journey.   Seung-Weon Yoo Dean, Korea University Business School

2026.11.06홍보팀

[SK Awards Interview] Professor Minjae Koo: In an Era of Uncertainty, Diverse Cultural Backgrounds

[SK Awards Interview] Professor Minjae Koo: In an Era of Uncertainty, Diverse Cultural Backgrounds Improve Forecast Accuracy Uncertainty does not affect everyone equally. As U.S. firms faced growing import competition from China, most analysts saw their forecast accuracy decline. Yet some were less affected than others. Professor Minjae Koo focused on precisely that difference. His research suggests that the cultural context behind the numbers — and analysts’ own cultural backgrounds — can shape how information is processed in capital markets. Professor Koo, who joined Korea University Business School (KUBS) in 2025, received his second SK Award for the study, “Forecasting Under Uncertainty: Import Penetration and Analysts’ Cultural Advantage.” The study empirically examines how international competition affects the role of information intermediaries. In an era when geopolitical tensions have become a daily reality, the research shows that diversity can be more than a value — it can also provide a tangible competitive advantage. The following is an interview with Professor Koo about the research and the award. Q1. Congratulations on being recognized with the SK Awards. Could you share your thoughts on the award? First, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this meaningful award. It is a great honor to have my research recognized at Korea University. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my deep appreciation to my co-authors, who worked with me on this research, and to everyone who supported our work. Q2. Could you briefly introduce the research for which you received the award? This study analyzes how Chinese import penetration affects the earnings forecast accuracy of financial analysts covering U.S. firms. In particular, we examined whether Chinese analysts have an informational advantage in such an environment. Our empirical analysis shows that the more U.S. firms were affected by Chinese import penetration, the more analysts’ forecast accuracy declined overall. However, the decline in forecast accuracy was substantially smaller among Chinese analysts. This suggests that cultural background and contextual knowledge can improve analysts’ ability to process information in complex international competitive environments. Q3. What motivated you to begin this research? The international competitive landscape has shifted rapidly due to recent developments such as the U.S.–China trade tensions and the restructuring of global supply chains. I became interested in whether these macro-level changes might affect not only firm performance and corporate strategy but also how information is produced in capital markets. The study began with the question, “How do international economic shocks change the role of information intermediaries?” The research ultimately showed that cultural background can play an important role in complex international environments. Q4. What impact do you expect this research to have on society or industry? This study demonstrates the value that cultural diversity and expertise can bring to financial markets as globalization deepens and geopolitical risks increase. For companies and financial institutions, the findings highlight the importance of professionals with diverse cultural backgrounds and international perspectives, alongside strong technical capabilities. From a policy perspective, the study also highlights the role of human capital in reducing information asymmetry amid rising international tensions. Q5. Since joining KUBS in 2025, you have already received the SK Awards twice. Is there a secret behind these consecutive achievements? I wouldn’t say there is any particular secret. I believe these achievements were made possible by strong teamwork with my co-authors and constructive feedback from reviewers and editors. Through this study, I was reminded once again that research is not a solitary journey, but a collaborative process that becomes increasingly refined through diverse perspectives and constructive critique.   Q6. Many students today are interested in pursuing careers in accounting. What message would you like to share with them? Accounting is no longer just a discipline that records numbers. In class, I often refer to Nietzsche’s famous statement: “There are no facts, only interpretations.” I understand this to mean that even identical numbers can be viewed and interpreted differently through various lenses. In today’s increasingly dynamic and fast-changing world, I believe such interpretation can become even more complex. Therefore, I would encourage students interested in accounting careers — whether in financial accounting, auditing, or management accounting — to broaden their horizons. They should explore not only fields directly connected to accounting, such as international politics and ESG, but also subjects that may seem less related at first glance, including literature and philosophy. Doing so can help them develop stronger intuition and critical thinking skills. I believe a humanities-based perspective can be very helpful when making broader, more strategic decisions.   About the Paper :   In 2026, “Forecasting Under Uncertainty: Import Penetration and Analysts’ Cultural Advantage,” co-authored by Professor Minjae Koo of Korea University Business School, was accepted for publication in the Journal of International Business Studies. The paper also earned Professor Koo an SK Award. The study examines how analysts’ earnings forecast accuracy shifts as U.S. firms face mounting import competition from China and identifies cultural background as an important factor in information processing under complex international competition. The milestone is especially meaningful as it marks Professor Koo’s second SK Awards since joining KUBS in 2025.   “Forecasting Under Uncertainty: Import Penetration and Analysts’ Cultural Advantage” This study empirically analyzes how import competition from China affects the earnings forecast accuracy of analysts covering U.S. firms. The analysis finds that analysts’ forecasts grew less accurate as U.S. firms faced higher exposure to Chinese import competition. However, Chinese analysts were relatively less affected by this negative impact and delivering more accurate forecasts than their non-Chinese peers.   This informational advantage was even more pronounced when analysts had strong industry expertise or extensive experience covering Chinese firms, and it became stronger during periods of intensifying U.S.–China tensions. Furthermore, the study finds that investors recognized these differences and responded more strongly to forecasts issued by Chinese analysts. By demonstrating that cultural background and expertise can serve as important informational assets in international competitive environments, the study offers new insights into the role of information intermediaries in global capital markets.   ▶ View the full paper: “Forecasting Under Uncertainty: Import Penetration and Analysts’ Cultural Advantage”   KUBS Student Reporter Reporting and Photography by Yeontae Kim

2026.08.14홍보팀

[SK Research Award Interview] Professor Heechan Song: People Who Shape Their Own Stories amid Precar

[SK Research Award Interview] Professor Heechan Song: People Who Shape Their Own Stories amid Precarious Lives A chance encounter at a Buddhist temple in Thailand eventually paved the way for an academic paper. Professor Heechan Song's research was not planned from the outset. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when venues in Bangkok were forced to close and many workers returned to their hometowns, Song sat down and talked with them as a Buddhist monk. The stories he heard—not as a researcher taking notes, but as one person listening to another—would later become the seeds of his research. Shortly after joining Korea University Business School as a new faculty member in 2026, Song was honored with the SK Research Award. His award-winning paper, "Constructing Agency Under Persistent Precarity: Shame, Anger, and Compassion in the Self-Narratives of Thai Sex Workers," explores how people create meaning in their work and lives despite precarious conditions shaped by poverty and social stigma. Rather than focusing on the familiar business-school concerns of organizations and performance, the study asks questions about the human desires, emotions, and dignity that lie beneath them. The following is a conversation with Professor Song about his research and the award.   Q1. Could you briefly introduce your award-winning paper? Thailand has a substantial population engaged in sex work. I wanted to understand what this profession truly means to them. For example, I wanted to examine how they approach their work, how they think about emotions such as love, and how they view the clients who come to see them. Ultimately, the study looks at how they understand and give meaning to their occupation.   Q2. What led you to study the narratives of Thai sex workers? When I was living as a monk in Thailand, the COVID-19 pandemic began, and the establishments where sex workers worked in Bangkok were shut down. Many of the people who had worked there returned to their hometowns after the shutdown. At the time, I was residing as a monk in one of the areas they had returned to, which naturally led me to cross paths with many of them at the temple. As we talked, they began to tell me about the work they did. Some were deeply ashamed of their work, while others regarded it simply as an occupation. Some also approached it with the mindset that they should do their best to provide a good service. Those conversations made me want to study how they understood their work and what kind of mindset they brought to it.   Q3. Because the study deals with sensitive personal experiences, building trust with the participants must have been particularly important. How did you form relationships with them and invite them to share their stories? Researchers usually begin by designing and preparing a study in advance. That is not normally how I conduct my research. I tend to begin by observing what happens in everyday life. While I was living as a monk, I interacted with them frequently. Because I built connections with them human-to-human rather than as a researcher, they felt comfortable opening up and readily shared their stories. Later, when I decided to conduct a formal study and asked how they felt about participating, they readily gave their consent. I am still close friends with one of the participants. They are now very successful in Dubai and earn more than I do. They recently visited Korea, and we spent some time together.   Q4. The emotions of "shame, anger, and compassion" are central to the paper. How did these emotions emerge during the interviews? When it comes to shame, participants generally exhibited a low sense of agency, and their narratives were relatively straightforward. When I asked why they were doing this work, they often said that they had no choice because they needed to earn money. It was a response that we might have expected: they felt ashamed and described the work as something they had been forced to do by their circumstances. In contrast, some participants whose narratives were centered on anger expressed strong hostility toward Buddhism. Some felt neglected due to their parents’ heavy reliance on Buddhism, and over time, these cumulative experiences appeared to morph into deep-seated anger. They expressed resentment and hostility toward many different people. Interestingly, when I compared their incomes, the participants in this group earned the most. Their resentment seemed to be accompanied by a stronger tendency to view their relationships with others in instrumental terms. Another participant, whose narrative was anchored compassion, remarked, "Professor, you sell your intellect, while we sell our bodies - at the core, there isn’t all that much difference." She was satisfied with her occupation and tried to treat the people who came to see her well. She seemed to feel compassion both for herself and for her clients. She also said, "People do not necessarily come here only to satisfy their sexual desires. They also have various emotional needs."   Q5. Are there any research topics or projects that you would like to pursue in the future? First, I am drawn to Bhutanese artists who paint thangkas. Although they are creators of arts, their work simultaneously serves a religious purpose. Because Buddhism holds such great significance in Bhutan, I would like to examine what meaning they attach to the act of painting and how they understand their lives as artists. Second, I am also interested in people from North Korea. While I was living at a temple, I met a man from North Korea. He told me that while escaping the country, he encountered an unscrupulous broker, and his wife and daughter were trafficked elsewhere. The experience caused him severe trauma, and he eventually became a monk in Laos. My conversations with him led me to think about the meaning of freedom. He explained that  having had virtually no exposure to personal freedom in North Korea, he struggled to make choices even in Laos - a socialist nation lacking the rigid rationing system he had known back home. In connection with this issue, I would like to study how North Korean defectors living in South Korea build relationships with South Koreans and what kinds of experiences they have in the workplace.   About Professor Song's Award-Winning Paper In 2026, Professor Heechan Song of Korea University Business School received the SK Research Award for his paper, "Constructing Agency Under Persistent Precarity: Shame, Anger, and Compassion in the Self-Narratives of Thai Sex Workers." The study examines how Thai sex workers understand and create meaning in their work and lives while living under precarious conditions shaped by poverty and social stigma. The significance of the study lies in illuminating how individuals navigating unstable circumstances interpret their labor and forge meaning in their lives. The study analyzes how Thai sex workers living under persistent precarity use self-narratives to make sense of their work and lives. Song focuses on how the participants' past life experiences and current work experiences are connected through three central emotional themes: shame, anger, and compassion. Based on these findings, the study identifies three distinct types: "passive fantasizers," who demonstrate low levels of agency; "empowered victims," who transform anger into self-oriented agency; and "compassionate carers," who construct other-oriented agency through acceptance and empathy. The study demonstrates that even under precarious living conditions, individuals interpret their work and construct different forms of agency in their own ways.   ▶ Read the full paper: "Constructing Agency Under Persistent Precarity: Shame, Anger, and Compassion in the Self-Narratives of Thai Sex Workers" KUBS Student Press / Reporting and Photography by Jinyoung Kim  

2026.08.10홍보팀

From 600 Students to a Global Top-30 Vision: KUBS Honors Senior Faculty and Connects Generations

From 600 Students to a Global Top-30 Vision: KUBS Honors Senior Faculty and Connects Generations Korea University Business School (KUBS) held a reception to show appreciation for senior faculty and connect generations on May 13 at Ahn Young Il Hall in the LG-POSCO Building. Held during the week of Teachers' Day, the event was organized to express gratitude to senior professors who have dedicated many years to the development of KUBS, while encouraging interaction between current and senior faculty. The event included an opening ceremony, remarks by a senior faculty representative, a presentation on school updates, a commemorative photo session, a luncheon, and a campus tour. A total of 10 senior professors and around 60 current faculty members were in attendance. Reunited after many years, the professors warmly greeted one another and reminisced about their shared history at the school. The senior professors in attendance, introduced during the ceremony, were Professor Emeritus Chung Jee (Finance), Professor Emeritus Yoon Dae Euh (Global Business), Professor Emeritus Kyu-Seung Whang (LSOM), Professor Emeritus Young-Sup Yun (Finance), Professor Emeritus Ho Jin Kang (Global Business), Professor Emeritus Jang Rho Lee (Global Business), Professor Emeritus Jin Kyu Lee (Management), Professor Emeritus Hyoung Koo Moon (Management), Professor Emeritus Manwoo Lee (Accounting), and Professor Emeritus Doo-Hee Lee (Marketing). Speaking on behalf of the senior professors, Professor Emeritus Chung Jee reflected on the time when he first entered the university 68 years ago. "When I entered the school, there were only 12 full-time professors and just over 600 students. Today, I understand there are nearly 100 full-time professors and around 500 international students. This is truly remarkable progress." He said, expressing pride in the growth of his alma mater. He added,"I sincerely hope that KUBS will strengthen its presence beyond Asia to enter the global top 30, and further into the global top 10, so that the status of Korea University may shine even brighter." Professor Emeritus Jee also urged KUBS faculty members to teach students with the spirit of “bettering the world through education”, expanding beyond Korea University’s founding ideal of “contribution to the nation through education”, especially amid today's increasingly uncertain global environment. His remarks resonated strongly with those in attendance. In the report that followed, Dean Eonsoo Kim shared KUBS's recent achievements and future vision. "The growth and international standing of KUBS today were made possible by the foundation of education and research that our senior professors built over many years." He said, expressing his gratitude. He then explained that KUBS is further accelerating its internationalization efforts by expanding the proportion of international students while continuing to achieve outstanding results in major global university rankings. His remarks were met with warm applause. Dean Kim also introduced “3C 4Tech” as KUBS's long-term vision, combining the 3Cs-Curiosity, Collaboration, and Contribution-with education in four core technologies: AI, semiconductors, robotics, and energy. He also shared updates on the KUBS 120th Anniversary fundraising campaign, which has been actively underway since last December. During the luncheon, former Korea University President Yoon Dae Euh offered a toast, praising the achievements that have shaped KUBS into the institution it is today. In particular, he mentioned Korea University alumni holding leadership positions across the business community and encouraged faculty members to strengthen partnerships with industry. Representing the alumni association, alumnus Cheolwon Choi (International Trade, Class of 1988) also gave a toast. Reflecting on his years with many of the faculty members in attendance, he shared his thoughts on the direction KUBS should take in the future, drawing on his own leadership experience and adding further meaning to the occasion. After the official program, the senior professors embarked on a campus tour guided by KUBE, the KUBS student ambassador. The tour included newly established facilities on campus, including the Eugene Investment & Securities Data Hub in the LG-POSCO Building and the KUBS Trading Zone in Hyundai Motor Hall. As they revisited familiar places across campus, the senior professors also offered advice to faculty members, emphasizing the importance of continued scholarly dedication and stronger ties with industry. KUBS plans to continue creating opportunities for intergenerational exchange among faculty, building on these efforts to shape new directions for future business education.   KUBS Student Press _ Reporting by Yeontae Kim  

2026.08.05홍보팀

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