South Korea is located in Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the East Sea and the Yellow Sea and Seoul is the capital (Kwintessential, 2008). There are very significant cultural difference between South Korea and United States that are important to understand and accommodate. A significant portion of these differences have at their root a very clearly defined power structure. Issues of respect also tend to stem from this power structure, and it is key to understand this.
In the present presentation we are going to information about South Korea as:Local customs.
Culture and Ideological beliefs.
Business Habits.
Corruption Perception Index (CPI) and Stability.
And the Most significant differences that may affect business interaction.
Close attention to this information can help to have a successful transaction when doing business with South Korea companies.
The Kwintessential website (2008) informed the following:South Koreans greetings follow strict rules of protocol.
They shake hands with expatriates after the bow, thereby blending both cultural styles.
The person of lower status bows to the person of higher status, yet it is the most senior person who initiates the handshake.
The person who initiates the bow says, “man-na-suh pan-gop-sumnida”, which means “pleased to meet you.”Information about the other person will be given to the person they are being introduced to in advance of the actual meeting.
Wait to be introduced at a social gathering.
When you leave a social gathering, say good-bye and bow to each person individually.
Gifts express a great deal about a relationship and are always reciprocated.
It is inconsiderate to give someone an expensive gift if you know that they cannot afford to reciprocate accordingly.
Bring fruit or good quality chocolates or flowers if invited to a Korean’s home.
Gifts should be wrapped nicely.
The number 4 is considered unlucky, so gifts should not be given in multiples of 4, but giving 7 of an item is considered lucky.
Wrap gifts in red or yellow paper, since these are royal colors. Alternatively, use yellow or pink paper since they denote happiness. Do not wrap gifts in green, white, or black paper. Do not sign a card in red ink.
Use both hands when offering a gift.
Gifts are not opened when received.
If you are invited to a South Korean’s house:It is common for guests to meet at a common spot and travel together.
You may arrive up to 30 minutes late without giving offence.
Remove your shoes before entering the house.
The hosts greet each guest individually.
The host pours drinks for the guests in their presence. The hostess does not pour drinks.
The hosts usually accompany guests to the gate or to their car because they believe that it is insulting to wish your guests farewell indoors.
Wait to be told where to sit. There is often a strict protocol to be followed.
The eldest are served first. The oldest or most senior person is the one who starts the eating process.
Never point your chopsticks.
Do not pierce your food with chopsticks.
Chopsticks should be returned to the table after every few bites and when you drink or stop to speak.
Do not cross your chopsticks when putting them on the chopstick rest.
Do not pick up food with your hands. Fruit should be speared with a toothpick.
Bones and shells should be put on the table or an extra plate.
Try a little bit of everything. It is acceptable to ask what something is.
Refuse the first offer of second helpings.
Finish everything on your plate.
Indicate you are finished eating by placing your chopsticks on the chopstick rest or on the table. Never place them parallel across your rice bowl.
Always send a thank you note the following day after being invited to dinner.
By the Kwintessential website (2008) South Korea culture is based:The family is the most important part of Korean life.
In Confucian tradition, the father is the head of the family and it is his responsibility to provide food, clothing and shelter, and to approve the marriages of family members.
The eldest son has special duties: first to his parents, then to his brothers from older to younger, then to his sons, then to his wife, and lastly to his daughters.
Family welfare is much more important than the needs of the individual.
Members of the family are tied to each other because the actions of one family member reflect on the rest of the family.
In many cases the family register can trace a family’s history, through male ancestors, for over 500 years.
The teachings of Confucius describe the position of the individual in Korean society. It is a system of behaviors and ethics that stress the obligations of people towards one another based upon their relationship.
The basic tenets are based upon five different relationships: 1) ruler and subject, 2) husband and wife, 3) parents and children, 4)brothers and sisters and 5) friend and friend.
Confucianism stresses duty, loyalty, honor, filial piety, respect for age and seniority, and sincerity.
Ancestors are based on the male family line.
Children are raised to believe they can never repay their debt to their parents, hence the popularity of ancestor worship.
They hold ancestral ceremonies for the previous three generations (parents, grandparents, and great grandparents) several times a year, particularly on Chusok and New Year’s Day.
On Chusok, people cook and set out food to celebrate their ancestors.
The Concept of Kibun.
Kibun is a word with no literal English translation; the closest terms are pride, face, mood, feelings, or state of mind.
If you hurt someone’s kibun you hurt their pride, cause them to lose dignity, and lose face. Korean interpersonal relationships operate on the principle of harmony.
It is important to maintain a peaceful, comfortable atmosphere at all times, even if it means telling a “white lie”.
Kibun enters into every facet of Korean life.
It is important to know how to judge the state of someone else’s kibun, how to avoid hurting it, and how to keep your own kibun at the same time.
In business, a manager’s kibun is damaged if his subordinates do not show proper respect. A subordinate’s kibun is damaged if his manager criticizes him in public.
Nunchi is the ability to determine another person’s kibun by using the eye.
Since this is a culture where social harmony is crucial, being able to judge another person’s state of mind is critical to maintain the person’s kibun.
Nunchi is accomplished by watching body language and listening to the tone of voice as well as what is said.
The Kwintessential website (2008) mentioned that the business habit of South Korea are the followings:South Koreans prefer to do business with people with whom they have a personal connection. It is therefore crucial to be introduced by a third-party.
Relationships are developed through informal social gatherings that often involve a considerable amount of drinking and eating.
Individuals who have established mutual trust and respect will work hard to make each other successful.
South Koreans treat legal documents as memorandums of understanding.
They view contracts as loosely structured consensus statements that broadly define agreement and leave room for flexibility and adjustment as needed.
Under no circumstances insult or to criticize in front of others.
Sensitive matters may often be raised indirectly through the intermediary that first made the introductions.
South Koreans are extremely direct communicators. They are not averse to asking questions if they do not understand what has been said or need additional clarification.
This is a culture where “less is more” when communicating. Respond to questions directly and concisely.
Since there is a tendency to say “yes” to questions so that you do not lose face, the way you phrase a question is crucial. It is better to ask, “When can we expect shipment?” than “Can we expect shipment in 3 weeks?”, since this question requires a direct response.
Appointments are required and should be made 3 to 4 weeks in advance.
You should arrive on time for meetings as this demonstrates respect for the person you are meeting.
The most senior South Korean generally enters the room first.
It is a good idea to send both an agenda and back-up material including information about your company and client testimonials prior to the meeting.
The main purpose of the first meeting is to get to know each other.
Meetings are used to understand a client’s needs and challenges. They lay the foundation for building the relationship.
Do not remove your jacket unless the most senior South Korean does so.
Have all written materials available in both English and Korean.
Business attire is conservative.
Men should wear dark- colored, conservative business suits with white shirts.
Women should dress conservatively and wear subdued colors.
Men should avoid wearing jewelry other than a watch or a wedding ring.
Business cards are exchanged after the initial introductions in a highly ritualized manner.
The way you treat someone’s business card is indicative of the way you will treat the person.
Have one side of your business card translated into Korean.
Using both hands, present your business card with the Korean side facing up so that it is readable by the recipient. Examine any business card you receive carefully.
Put the business cards in a business card case or a portfolio.
Never write on someone’s business card in their presence.
South Korea Corruption Perception Index (CPI) score in 2007 was 5.1 (Transparency International, 2007). The Transparency International (2007) mentioned that “a score of 5.0 is the number Transparency International considers the borderline figure distinguishing countries that do and do not have a serious corruption problem.” Also, the Transparency International (2007) mentioned that South Korea confidence rank in 2007 was 45 out of 193 countries.
The Library of Congress (2005) mentioned:South Korea experienced tremendous economic, political, and military growth, and reduced United States dependency.
Since the late 1980s, the country has instead sought to establish an American partnership, which has made the Seoul-Washington relationship subject to some strains.
Stability had been maintained because strong Seoul-Washington military cooperation deterred further aggression.
United States and South Korea sign the Free Trade agreement in April of 2007.
According to the South Korean government, gross national income (formerly called gross national product) per capita in 2003 was US$12,600, up from US$11,500 in 2002 and US$9,400 in 1999.
In 2003 the government had revenues of US$135.5 billion and expenditures of US$128.7 billion, including capital expenditures of US$23.5 billion. In 2004 a modest budget surplus of 0.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) was expected. This would make the fifth consecutive year of surplus and highlight the health of the South Korean government’s finances.
That is a significant difference in comparison to American way of handling business interactions.
Knowledge of language would be an added advantage. Knowing the language of the other country can show that the company or individual took the time to research and learn about the country culture. Knowledge of South Korean language is a significant advantage and offers quite competitive edge while dealing with business transactions.
South Koreans prefer all documentation to be done in Korean language and that would be quite an advantage as they would be quite pleased.
The knowledge of the cultural difference would be a plus. As mentioned before, knowing the language it means that the individual took time to learn about the culture. So, if the company or individual knows the South Korean’s culture and ideological beliefs, South Koreans business person would feel respected and honored. By knowing the South Korean’s culture, we can prevent any mistake in offensive behaviours.
Kwintessential. 2007. Cross Cultural Solutions. Retrieve in December 18, 2008 from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/south-korea-country-profile.htmlLibrary of Congress. 2005. Country Profile – South Korea. Federal Research Division. Retrieve in December 20, 2008 from http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/South_Korea.pdfTransparency International. 2007. Corruption Perception Index (CPI). Retrieve in December 18, 2008 from http://www.infoplease.com/world/statistics/2007-transparency-international-corruption-perceptions.html
