Macroeconomic Stabilization in Crisis: The Role of Investment Shocks and Policy Responses in South Korea During COVID-19

This study investigates the dual dynamics of investment shocks and policy responses in stabilizing South Korea’s macroeconomy during the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing a Bayesian DSGE framework. The model integrates sophisticated mathematical components, including stochastic differential equations, Bayesian inference, and impulse response functions, to analyze the transmission mechanisms of investment shocks and the relative efficacy of fiscal and monetary interventions. The estimation is conducted through Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulations. Using data from the first quarter of 2020 to the first quarter of 2023, the analysis quantifies the pandemic-induced shocks’ impact on critical macroeconomic indicators, including enterprise output, household consumption, employment, and investment. The findings reveal that heightened investment costs significantly constrained economic performance, with fiscal measures, such as increased government spending and targeted stimulus packages, demonstrating superior stabilization effects compared to monetary interventions. These results emphasize the importance of well-coordinated policy responses in mitigating economic disruptions and enhancing resilience during crises. This study not only provides novel insights into the mathematical modeling of economic stabilization strategies but also offers actionable recommendations for policymakers navigating pandemic-induced challenges.