As Taipei invests in innovation and fiscal prudence, Seoul risks stagnation amid chaebol dominance and debt

Taiwan’s per capita gross domestic product, adjusted for purchasing power, is now more than $20,000 higher than South Korea’s, raising serious questions about Seoul’s policy direction, fiscal governance and the country’s ability to restore public confidence in its economic leadership.

The two economies were once seen as parallel success stories. However, they have diverged sharply in recent years, especially in terms of household purchasing power, growth rates and economic governance.

Taiwan’s per capita gross domestic product, adjusted for purchasing power, is now more than $20,000 higher than South Korea’s, raising serious questions about Seoul’s policy direction, fiscal governance and the country’s ability to restore public confidence in its economic leadership.

The two economies were once seen as parallel success stories. However, they have diverged sharply in recent years, especially in terms of household purchasing power, growth rates and economic governance.

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