Professor Changkeun Lee worked at Korean Development Institute as an associate fellow and Yonsei University Mirae Campus before joining KDI School. He earned a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Michigan in 2015.

He feels that his is an excellent place to conduct meticulous research. Since he deeply understands the school’s mission and environment, he hopes to contribute to KDI School by bringing his economic history expertise and adding diversity in education and research. Prof.Lee is interested in uncovering and prompting a better understanding of history. In his classes, he emphasizes that finding casual links is necessary to apply the lessons from history to the present. One should also bear in mind that historical legacy often restricts the choice of the better policy options, he adds.

With his another identity as an applied microeconomists with focus on industry and firms, he will continue to research the following topics: Great Depression of the United States in the 1930s, Korea’s industrialization in the 1960s and 1970s, democratization in the 1980s, and the current digital transformation. He has also participated in KDI’s policy research on wide-ranging issues, from cultural industry policy to political polarization and big data strategy.

As he has various interests and hobbies, he hopes to engage in various school activities. He has played football (soccer) for more than 20 years. He is a lover of fine arts and travel. Most of all, he likes having conversations about all the topics mentioned here.

The Globe – KDI School Yearzine 2020