Stony Brook University Business Management

  On June 10, 2026, the Business Management Department hosted a Career Talk & Networking Event featuring Hyeonik (Glen) Park (BM Class of 2025) at the SUNY Korea Lounge. The event attracted approximately 50 participants, reflecting strong interest in career development and post-graduation opportunities. During the session, Glen shared his experiences as a Finance specialization student, USCPA candidate, and incoming M.S. in Business Analytics student at Columbia University. He also discussed his internship experiences in both New York and Korea, providing practical advice on securing internships, preparing for graduate school, and building a successful career path. The event concluded with an engaging Q&A and networking session, where students had the opportunity to seek personalized advice and learn from Glen’s firsthand experiences. Participants expressed appreciation for the candid insights and practical guidance shared throughout the evening. The Business Management Department extends its sincere thanks to Glen for returning to SUNY Korea and inspiring current students. The department looks forward to continuing to connect students with accomplished alumni through future career-focused events.

The Business Management Department successfully hosted the Spring 2026 BM Mentorship Finale on June 4, bringing together mentors and mentees to celebrate a semester of meaningful connections, academic support, and community building. The mentorship program included 24 mentors and 50 mentees, creating opportunities for students to receive guidance on academics, campus life, course planning, and personal development. During the finale event, participants reflected on their experiences, shared memorable moments, and recognized outstanding mentors and mentees for their contributions throughout the semester.

The Department of Business Management successfully hosted its 3rd Annual Parent Open House, welcoming approximately 70 parents of current students. Held each spring semester, the event serves as an opportunity for parents to gain a deeper understanding of the department’s academic programs, student support initiatives, and career development opportunities while strengthening connections between families and the university community. The program began with welcome remarks and faculty introductions, followed by presentations on the Business Management program, graduate outcomes, and preparation for the required Stony Brook University campus visit in New York. Parents also attended a special session on current recruitment trends in industry delivered by Mr. SangBoo Han, Director at Johnson & Johnson. The event concluded with a Q&A session, allowing parents to engage directly with faculty and staff. Following the formal program, participants enjoyed a luncheon and networking session, providing valuable opportunities for meaningful conversations among parents, faculty members, and university representatives. The Business Management Department remains committed to fostering strong partnerships with families and supporting students throughout their academic and professional journeys.

          On May 9, the Business Management Department participated in the SUNY Korea Experience Day hosted by the Admissions Team, offering future BM students an opportunity to experience the program firsthand. Approximately 40 students attended a mock Entrepreneurship lecture delivered by Professor Younggeun Lee. Following the session, the department’s student representatives held 1:1 networking and Q&A sessions with prospective students to share their experiences and provide guidance about student life in the BM program.

  Debt Strikes Back...The Economy Is Running Out of Options As South Korea’s total debt has, for the first time, exceeded 6,500 trillion won, the government has formalized a 25 trillion won supplementary budget framed as a “wartime” measure. While intended to address immediate livelihood challenges, debt has long since become a heavy burden. At its core, debt is a transaction across time—bringing future consumption and investment into the present. However, as this pattern repeats, the economy may gain time for growth, but it also loses the flexibility to respond effectively to crises. The problems of the Korean economy are most clearly reflected in household debt. The ratio of household debt to GDP has already surpassed dangerous levels, with significant structural vulnerabilities. The high share of variable-rate loans has turned the base interest rate into a politically sensitive factor rather than a purely economic tool, as rate hikes directly increase household repayment burdens and suppress consumption. As a result, delayed policy responses have contributed to rising exchange rate volatility and inflation—effectively “interest on delay.” Click here to read the full article        

    On March 25, 2026, our depaartment held the Spring 2026 Outstanding Student Award Ceremony to recognize students for their academic excellence. Award recipients were selected based on their academic performance during the previous semester, with nominations made by instructors of each major course. The selection process covered a total of 25 courses, from which 15 students were ultimately recognized for their outstanding achievements.  

On March 12, our department held a Mentor Training Session for faculty and student mentors participating in the Spring 2026 Mentorship Program. This semester, the program includes 50 mentees organized into 12 mentorship groups. Each mentorship team is composed of one faculty mentor and one student mentor, who jointly guide a small group of four to five freshmen throughout their first semester. This structured approach enables new students to benefit from both academic guidance provided by faculty and peer support from experienced students. For inquiries about the mentorship program, please contact our department at bm.dept@sunykorea.ac.kr or 032-626-1357. 

      Our department hosted a CPA Study Group Info Session on March 18, introducing the U.S. CPA examination and the structure and benefits of the department’s CPA Study Group. A highlight of the session was a special talk by Chloe Jung, a sophomore student who recently passed the U.S. CPA exam. She shared up-to-date insights on the exam, effective study strategies, and her personal experience, offering valuable guidance and motivation to fellow students preparing for the certification. The CPA Study Group fosters a collaborative learning environment where members share study resources, exchange information on exam trends, and support one another throughout the preparation process. Through regular meetings and peer engagement, the group not only enhances academic performance but also builds a strong sense of community among aspiring accounting professionals. The department remains committed to supporting students in achieving professional certifications and advancing their career readiness through such initiatives.  

    From February 23 to 24,2026, our department and Meiji University in Japan jointly hosted a workshop on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The workshop brought together the Chair of the Business Management Department, accounting faculty members Professor In-Ki Joo and Professor Soo Young Kwon, and graduate students in accounting from Meiji University. The program included lectures on key IFRS topics followed by feedback sessions, allowing participants to exchange ideas and discuss current trends in the accounting industry. This workshop marked the third year of collaboration between the two institutions. Participation has steadily increased each year, growing from 12 participants in the first year to 30 participants this year, reflecting growing interest in international accounting standards.

  Professor Younggeun Lee of the Business Management Department at the State University of New York Korea delivered a keynote address on December 9, 2025, at the U.S. Department of State–hosted Entrepreneurship in the Age of AI forum in Phuket, Thailand. The forum, organized by the U.S. Department of State, brought together 50 delegates from 16 countries, including government officials, NGO leaders, AI startup founders, and academic experts, to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping entrepreneurial ecosystems and global competitiveness. In his keynote lecture, Teaching Entrepreneurship in the Era of the AI Renaissance, Professor Lee explored how AI is transforming entrepreneurial education, decision-making processes, and venture creation. Drawing on his academic research and recent case studies, he identified seven core themes that characterize contemporary AI-driven entrepreneurship. Among these, three topics generated particularly active discussion. AI Coach vs. Human Mentor examined the potential of hybrid coaching models that combine human expertise with AI systems trained on deep institutional knowledge bases, such as Y Combinator’s archival materials. The Rise of the AI Co-Founder highlighted how entrepreneurs increasingly rely on AI tools for market research, financial modeling, and early-stage validation, signaling a shift toward “learning with AI” as a foundational entrepreneurial skill. AI-as-a-Judge addressed the use of large language models to evaluate startup pitches with high consistency, while underscoring the continued need for bias monitoring and human oversight in final decision-making. Professor Lee also discussed broader trends shaping the entrepreneurial landscape, including the growing importance of AI literacy as a societal baseline, the emergence of AI-native universities, ethical concerns surrounding competitive AI deployment, and the accelerating demand for governance frameworks that support responsible AI-driven venture creation. The forum concluded with participants outlining the AI and Entrepreneurship Strategic White Paper, a confidential U.S.–Indo-Pacific framework focused on AI education, SME innovation, and cross-border digital collaboration. The initiative aims to strengthen geopolitical competitiveness while fostering shared and sustainable growth. Reflecting on the discussions, Professor Lee emphasized the global implications of AI access and governance, noting that equitable AI literacy and infrastructure will be critical to ensuring that AI-driven innovation contributes to global stability rather than reinforcing existing power imbalances. Source: SUNY Korea Faculty News https://www.sunykorea.ac.kr/news/html/sub03/03.html?mode=V&mng_no=1319    

            On December 5, the Department of Business Management participated in an information and welcome session for students admitted to the Spring 2026 semester and their parents. Approximately 70 participants, including 27 prospective freshmen, attended the event. The program opened with an overview of the department and its undergraduate curriculum, followed by presentations from two current students. One student shared insights from their successful U.S. CPA exam journey, while another discussed their professional experience gained through an internship. A networking session concluded the event, during which faculty members and current students met with attendees in small groups, providing an opportunity for more personalized interaction and guidance. The convocation ceremony for the Spring 2026 cohort is scheduled for February 26, 2026.        

  Expanding Internal Accounting Controls Could Be Key to Ending Korea’s Embezzlement Crisis Despite stronger audit regulations and major investments, fraud and embezzlement continue to impose heavy financial and reputational damage on Korean companies. Internal accounting controls were created to ensure that financial reporting processes are trustworthy, but effectiveness remains limited when the system is treated as an accounting task instead of a responsibility shared across all departments. To reduce fraud risks, companies must continuously update controls, strengthen ethics and whistleblower programs, and reinforce safeguards in high-risk areas. Lasting improvement depends on leadership commitment, which drives employees to follow procedures more faithfully, enhances monitoring, and ultimately strengthens trust in financial reporting. Click here to read the full article.  

    On November 28, the US CPA Study Group of our department visited KPMG at the Gangnam Finance Center in Seoul. The session offered students a valuable opportunity to learn about the firm’s structure, recruitment pathways, and the real career journeys of junior professionals currently working at KPMG. A special highlight of the visit was a talk by Mr. Geun Gu Leem, Partner of KPMG Korea, who shared insights into the firm’s 30-year history, its growth, and the evolving role of accounting professionals in today’s global market. The visit provided meaningful guidance and inspiration for students preparing for careers in accounting and professional services.

    On October 24, BM students visited the NAVER 1784 Building—NAVER’s next-generation headquarters located in Seongnam, Korea. Named after the year the Industrial Revolution began, the 1784 Building serves as a living testbed for cutting-edge technologies, including AI-based robotics, autonomous delivery systems, digital twins, and integrated smart-office environments. A total of 13 BM students participated in the tour, joined by two BM faculty members. During the visit, students explored key facilities and learned how NAVER applies technological innovation to its daily operations, workforce experience, and corporate culture. Interactive demonstrations and guided briefings provided valuable insights into future-oriented business strategies and AI-driven office models. The department expects this experience to broaden students’ perspectives on digital transformation within the global business landscape. Students shared positive feedback, noting that the tour inspired them to consider emerging trends in management, technology, and innovation.

If Galaxy Phones Become Global Wallets … Korea Could Become the Core of the Digital Currency Ecosystem In 1971, U.S. President Richard Nixon declared the suspension of the gold standard, effectively dismantling the Bretton Woods system. At the time, the dual burdens of fiscal deficits caused by the Vietnam War and expanding welfare programs, along with current account deficits due to the oversupply of global liquidity, were key factors. This so-called "twin deficit" issue became a structural bottleneck for the U.S. economy. In the 1980s, the U.S. addressed this problem through the radical measure known as the Plaza Accord. These recurring twin deficits have since served as a critical factor intensifying tensions surrounding the U.S. dollar's hegemony — a cycle that the U.S. now finds itself trapped in once again. The U.S. has traditionally managed fiscal deficits by issuing Treasury bonds, a practice similar to the past. However, a new development has emerged: foreign governments, including major East Asian nations, have become reluctant to purchase U.S. Treasuries. This lack of participation has forced the U.S. to face mounting upward pressure on interest rates. At this turning point, the U.S. has unveiled a new strategy: stablecoins. By institutionalizing digital assets, the U.S. aims to generate new demand for dollars among global private sectors — individuals, corporations, and fintech ecosystems. Even if foreign governments no longer buy U.S. Treasuries, this approach would encourage private actors to hold and use dollars in digital form. In doing so, the U.S. is effectively designing a new system of "digital petrodollars." Although this strategy appears to champion decentralization and technological innovation, its underlying intention is to preserve U.S. monetary dominance. The goal is to expand the influence of the digital dollar by moving beyond foreign-exchange-reserve-based demand and fostering blockchain-based asset holdings and payments among private entities. However, this poses a fundamental threat to the monetary policy autonomy and foreign exchange regulatory tools of open economies. In particular, the stablecoin market operates on a peer-to-peer (P2P) structure, where capital movements can occur instantaneously, often rendering traditional financial regulations ineffective. If domestic companies and individuals come to prefer holding dollar-denominated stablecoins over the Korean won as a means of preserving assets, conventional financial systems and policy tools could be rendered powerless. Before this transformation fully takes hold, Korea must adopt a strategic perspective to address these challenges and proactively prepare for the changes that lie ahead. Article Source: https://www.mk.co.kr/news/business/11421950