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MOVING TO SOUTH KOREA

Our Moving to South Korea Guide is available from upon request.

The Moving to South Korea Guide is available online and has been created to help expatriate families moving to South Korea.

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KEY FACTS

Official Name: Republic of Korea

Capital City: Seoul

Type of Government: Parliamentary Democracy

Head of Government: Prime Minister Chung Un-Chan

Official Language: Korean

Area: 99,222 sq. km. 38,022 sq. mi.

Population: 48.8 million

Religion: Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism

Currency: Won (W)

Number of Time Zones: 1

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus 9 hrs.; Eastern Standard Time (EST) plus 14 hrs.

Weights and Measures: Metric system

Country Domain: .kr

Country Tel Code: 82

AT A GLANCE

South Korea is a modern country with universal national public health care, a good public transportation, and a good standard of living. The disparity of living conditions between it and North Korea are tremendous. As negotiations to improve trade, transportation, and peace continue, the border between the two remains the most heavily fortified in the world today.

An increase in economic prosperity has increased the expatriate presence. Visitors will find South Koreans careful to be modest and formal among strangers, but comfortable singing, laughing, and showing emotion among close friends and family.

Government

Today South Korea is a parliamentary democracy. Under the constitution of 1988, there is an elected president who can only serve one five-year term. The President selects a Prime Minister, and the 299-member unicameral legislature, the National Assembly, approves his choice. The president’s cabinet, the Council of State, is named by the president on recommendation of the Prime Minister. There are four major political parties and several minor parties. Party allegiances shift rapidly in South Korea.

Presently, there is full freedom of the press and assembly, as well as other democratic freedoms. Unfortunately, there are still some problems. Tensions still exist between North and South Korea, along with great disparities in lifestyle.

Attempts to make peace gained momentum in June 2000 when each of the Korea’s leaders met at a historic summit. Agreements were made, including reunions between South Korean families and their relatives in the North. Talks were also planned on disarmament issues and increased economic exchange between the two countries. However, as 2001 began it became clear that enthusiastic declarations brought little action to fruition, and instead deals were stalled and quarrels left unsettled. The family reunions took place, but were limited to certain families, specific public meeting locations, and to one visit with further contact uncertain.

An arrangement to restore road and rail links between the North and South was delayed, increasing doubts as to North Korea’s commitment to economic exchange. In 2004 and 2005, six-party talks were held, in an attempt to encourage North Korea to disarm themselves of nuclear weapons. By September 2005 North Korea agreed to give up goals for nuclear activities and to rejoin to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

It is hoped that over the long term unification may become possible, but the process will continue to be a long arduous one with many hurdles yet to be overcome.

Economy

South Korea has become a world economic power based on a solid democratic structure. The government is determined to make the necessary – and painful – reforms needed to strengthen the South Korean economy. These measures have not always been popular with workers who fear that reforms, privatizing, and downsizing will threaten their jobs. Violent street marches occasionally interrupt daily life as students and workers exercise their right to strike.

Opposition to reform is also found in the bureaucracy ensconced in the giant conglomerates, or Chaebol, which have dominated South Korean industry since the 1960s. The government is trying to encourage the Chaebol to concentrate on basic industries and leave other business fields open to the more efficient and competitive small and medium businesses. However, this restructuring will take time and is politically unpopular.

Personal success is valued and admired in South Korea, but a measured, careful and respectful means to that end are equally revered. Koreans are always courteous and work hard to achieve their goals. Among the most well educated people in the world, they have developed a highly efficient and profitable business structure.

A large expatriate population shares the enthusiasm for Korean life. Modern amenities, good public transportation, and a relatively healthy environment all contribute to a general sense of well-being. If you are in Seoul for a short stay, you will find it surprisingly like Western cities – modern and comfortable. If you have the opportunity to see more of South Korea, and to stay for a while, you will be charmed by a country rich with tradition and natural beauty.

UNDERSTANDING THE PEOPLE

Densely populated and highly urbanized, South Korea is known for its mild-mannered, well-educated and cheerful people, who are spontaneous, earthy, talkative, and expressive.

The population of 45 million resides in a land area roughly the size of the U.S. state of Indiana, ranking South Korea as one of the most densely populated countries of the world. Nearly 75 percent of the people live and work in modern cities where domestic and international commerce provides work.

About 2 million Koreans have emigrated. Approximately 700,000 live in each of the United States and Japan, and a quarter-million have settled in China. Emigration to the U.S. continues at about 30,000 annually.

Modern Koreans are an independent people with their own distinctive culture, language, dress and cuisine. Pride in their national identity and an amazing resilience has sustained them, even during periods of foreign subjugation. Uncharacteristic of other Oriental peoples, the Koreans are more apt to vent their feelings and to be receptive to new acquaintances and situations. Their initial stoic presence, however, can be disconcerting to Westerners.

Ethnic makeup

South Korea is one of the world’s most homogeneous nations with a highly developed national identity. Nearly everyone is Korean, of Mongol or Tunguisic origin, with some Chinese mixture.

Cultural traditions

Strongly influenced by ancient Confucianism, Koreans display a modest demeanor of ritualistic courtesy and formality. Modesty is highly regarded and compliments and honors are denied, however graciously.

Koreans like to sing, show their emotions and laugh often with family and friends, but are careful with strangers. Increasingly focused on preserving their country’s traditional culture, they celebrate many festivals and create other incentives for proliferating their rich and colorful heritage. The rich Korean folk art belies a sense of humor and whimsy, alongside the portrayal of a difficult life. Often at parties and social events, the Korean folk songs are sung. They are sad and melancholy melodies which tell fateful stories.

Most families still observe traditional lifestyles, with the women working at home cooking, cleaning and providing for the care of their families, while the men work outside the home. Based on Confucian tradition, the Koreans observe a hierarchical ethic of relationships by which they defer to one another: father-son; king-subject; husband-wife; elder-younger; and friend-friend.

In Asia, where everybody works hard, South Koreans work harder than anybody. Although they savor family and friends, they are also tough, disciplined businessmen with a reputation for being aggressive negotiators.

There are key Korean words which define the special Korean mindset:

Hahn: The word means “pain” or “pressure,” the force behind the nation’s extreme nationalism. For all their economic success, the Koreans still regard themselves as poor, especially compared to their great rival, Japan, and somehow they must aspire for even more success.

Kibun: This means social balance, harmony. For all the pressure to succeed, Koreans work hard to appear good-natured and friendly. They hate to say “no” or to be the bearer of bad news. Foreigners conducting business with Korean partners may be slow to realize a problem exists because the Koreans are embarrassed to admit obstacles have appeared.

Nunch’i: To maintain a healthy kibun, it is essential that everyone develop nunchi’i which is the intuitive ability to read a situation and then gracefully correct problems, if they exist.

In South Korea, as in many modern nations, descendants of ancient religions struggle to hold on to their sense of decency. The rules of Confucianism with its code of social behavior, are not always compatible with the day-to-day issues of economic survival.

Chinese and Japanese influence

Many years of domination, first by China, then by Japan, have shaped the national personality. Relations between South Korea and China and Japan are tentative, although the high level of Japanese investment is beginning to temper old resentments. Korean sensitivity is obvious in Korean politicians’ efforts to collect compensation for the Korean women who were forced to be “comfort women” for Japanese troops more than 50 years ago.

Religion

Freedom of religion is guaranteed under the Korean Constitution. Estimates vary, but nearly all Koreans now embrace either Christianity or Buddhism. There are 2,500 active Buddhist temples in Korea, and many churches; in fact, Seoul is said to have more Presbyterians than any U.S. city.

Although only about three percent of modern Koreans are still strict followers of Confucius, Confucianism has spread its historic influence in the ethical teachings and social customs of all of the modern religions. Confucianism is pervasive in all walks of Korean life, ordering social behavior and stressing righteousness and family relationships, especially those of father and son.

Many South Koreans would describe themselves as non-believers, and several million Koreans profess belief in a number of syncretistic sects which combine elements of Catholic, Confucian, and Buddhist faiths. There are also approximately 20,000 Muslims in Korea.

Shamanism

A pervasive folk religion called Shamanism is observed almost in tandem with the religions of contemporary life. Based on the belief that all forms of nature, animate or inanimate, possess spirits, Shamanism finds spirits everywhere including in rocks and stars. Shamans, observers of Shamanism, who are usually female, deeply believe in the soul of the dead. They are expected to control the family health and fortune by participating in rituals to resolve the conflict between the living and the dead. They perform colorful ceremonies, called kut, which are rich with music and dance and contain exorcist elements. Confucianism and Buddhism, and even Christianity did not unseat this form of worship, but assimilated and perpetuated it. Shamanism remains an underlying religion of the Korean people and an important facet of the culture.

Language

The official language, Korean, is derived from the Ural-Altaic family of languages, which includes Turkish, Finnish, Hungarian, and Mongolian. It is distinct from Japanese and Chinese, but centuries of close contact with China has resulted in the absorption of a large number of Chinese words. There are also similarities with Japanese grammar.

The language has been spoken for 5,000 years, but the alphabet was not invented until 1446. Korea’s 550-year-old alphabet, Hangul, has no similarity to Chinese characters, but is often used in conjunction with Chinese ideograms.

English is taught in most middle schools and high schools but Koreans have difficulty pronouncing the words so it is not widely spoken.

Because Japanese was taught during the Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945, most South Korean adults born before 1935 speak Japanese.

South Korean attitudes

Toward family

Confucian culture puts the family above everything else.

Toward foreigners

Although Confucianism does not provide for relationships with “outsiders,” and respect and loyalty are not required to be paid to persons not tied to the religion, foreigners are generally welcomed in South Korea and regarded as good business partners. Once a foreigner has become a member of a mutual group such as a club, a company, or a business community, he or she will be welcomed and treated in the manner appropriate to his or her position.

Some anti-American sentiment, particularly in young people, is present and is based on support for previous military regimes. Some young people are unrealistically nostalgic for their “northern brothers,” believing that American troops stationed in Korea are the only obstacles to reunification of the two lands. Older Koreans, who have vivid memories of the Korean War and the devastation it caused, tend to be less critical of America and appreciate the U.S. military umbrella and the protection it provides.

Toward women

Although there have been a number of women in high level positions in recent Presidential administrations, women, in general, do not hold positions of authority in business. When addressing a group, references should be made to “Gentlemen and Ladies”, as men take precedence in Korea.

Toward hierarchy

Social attitudes translate into a vertical organization which works from the top down, loyalty between employer and employee, and an indirect, non-confrontational style.

The business structure, as well as the social structure, is vertical. Relationships are between superior and subordinate, and loyalty to that superior and to the company are virtues without equal. This means that decision-making filters down from the top of the organization and decisions, however minor, are not made by the individual but by the group. Once made, decisions are upheld by the group, sharing responsibility.

The top companies in Korea are still family-run and Korean businesspeople accept and expect a paternalistic style of management.

Toward work

South Koreans tend to be non-confrontational, working more toward conciliation and compromise in the workplace. They are known to be hard-working, self-reliant, and competitive. In the late 1980′s, strikes were recognized by the government as legal, and the nation was plagued with a rash of strikes. Recent changes in labor laws have again provoked violent demonstrations more recently. The government has set up a panel to deal with labor disputes, especially those involving foreign employers, and if necessary can force compliance with panel findings.

The Koreans are generally willing to work long, hard hours, typified by the average factory worker’s 54-hour work week.

Toward religion

Despite their belief in traditional Confucian principles, modern Koreans are becoming more aggressive and independent in business.

Other important values

Age is another factor which influences Koreans’ attitudes. All young or young-looking executives may encounter problems when meeting with senior Korean officials or executives. The assumption will be that your company is not taking this deal seriously since it didn’t bother to send a “senior” executive. An obviously senior title or an introduction assuring your Korean counterpart that you have decision-making authority can help with this problem.

When entering a group meeting, always enter the room in order of rank; the senior member of your party should enter first. Direct eye contact between junior and senior businesspeople should be avoided. It is considered impolite or even challenging. Observe seating protocol at business meetings, with the most senior executives sitting at the head of the table.

CITIES

Okpo

Okpo is a town located on the eastern coast of Geoje Island. The main employers on the island are Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) and Samsung Heavy Industries.

Geoje Island has a bridge connecting it to the mainland, granting easy access to the rest of Korea. Daily ferry services from Geoje-do to Busan, the second largest city in Korea, leave regularly from Okpo and Jangsuengpo Ferry Terminals. The trip takes about 45 minutes each way. The island can also be reached by car or bus, and that trip would take about three hours. Geoje-island has many tourist attractions; some beautiful parks, gorgeous seascapes and landscapes, sand and pebble beaches, and historic sites and battlefields from the Yi-dynasty. Various kinds of water sports can be enjoyed in many parts of this cozy island.

Okpo has a vibrant nightlife with many pubs and restaurants. There is also a foreigners’ club where expatriates can entertain themselves and enjoy hearty western food. The nearby Admiral Hotel offers a variety of cuisines and excellent accommodations.

Pusan

Accessible by air, rail or modern highway, Pusan is South Korea’s southern passenger gateway and principal port.

Once a small fishing village, Pusan is South Korea’s second largest city, with a population of approximately 4 million. Nearly all of Korea’s international container traffic goes through Pusan as well as its domestic shipping, particularly automobiles, textiles and steel.

Pusan is a major shipbuilding center and is the primary port for ferry services to Japan. Because of its strong economic base, the city now boasts 26 universities and colleges.

Pusan has retained more of a Korean flavor than Seoul and is a strong cultural center. Industry and commerce dominate the downtown area, but nearby are a number of attractive beach resorts that offer hot springs bathing as well as long, curving saltwater beaches. Excellent hotels and seafood restaurants surround the interesting shopping and sightseeing areas.

Pusan’s people are friendly and hospitable to outsiders.

Seoul

Surrounded by majestic mountains, and bisected by the powerful Han River, Seoul, which means capital, has served as the country’s capital for over 600 years – first during the Paekche era, more than 1,500 years ago, and officially when it became the capital during the Yi or Choson Dynasty in 1392. The central downtown area is the seat of government as well as the economic, commercial, recreational, educational, and cultural center of the country.

On the surface, Seoul looks like many other modern cities. Towering, modern skyscrapers dominate the skyline and loom over 14th-century structures. It is the world’s fifth largest city and rivals any of the world’s metropolises for hustle and bustle. Traffic is worse than any North American city at rush hour. The metropolitan population is over 16 million – about one-third of the country’s total.

By contrast, Seoul still boasts five of the original gates and various other parts of the 10-mile city wall, four major palaces and a garden with royal ancestral shrines. Exploring Seoul means going beyond the glamorous shops on Myong-dong to the narrow, crooked streets lined with food stalls, and the shops situated at the top of winding staircases.

The northern section of Seoul contains palaces and secret gardens that convey a sense of Korea’s long history and the changes that it has undergone. The center of Seoul contains the government and business districts. Further south is the spacious Namsan Park and residential areas.

In the late 1900′s, Kangnam, the area south of the Han River, developed as an area for upper-middle class with new shopping malls and apartments.

World-class hotels and restaurants abound in this cosmopolitan city.

Taegu

With more than 2 million inhabitants, this thriving city is South Korea’s third-largest metropolis, a transportation center, and a major market town for the southern provinces.

Its best-known product is apples, a fruit introduced into the area by American missionaries in the 19th century. Taegu apples are now prized throughout Asia.

Taegu is also the hub for South Korea’s textile industry and a major retail center for medicinal herbs.

The city is well-endowed with shopping, good restaurants and hotels.

CLIMATE

Temperate climate prevails throughout Korea, with distinct changes of season – winters are quite cold and summers can be hot. High humidity seems to make the extremes more dramatic.

Although meteorologists classify Korea’s climate as monsoonal, Korean War veterans’ memories are usually dominated by scenes of engine blocks cracking under sub-freezing temperatures, gun bolts locked in ice crystals, and toes frozen inside boots.

Nearly half of the annual rainfall occurs during the monsoon season from mid-July to mid-August. Torrential rains pour from the sky for two or three days at a time, giving way to the sun for a few days, then descending again. Typhoons are common.

Fall is lovely; and winter usually brings snow to Seoul, and always to the high country.

Insiders compare spring in Seoul to spring in Paris. The best months to visit are April and May, and September and October.