Korean business ethic?

**tpb** · 12-01-2003, 10:22

First of all, allow me to appologize for the potentially inflamatory nature of this post. I intend no disrespect, I'm simply trying to separate fact from fiction.

Background:
I live in Alberta, Canada. It's not exactly known for racial tollerance. More to the point, "redneck capital of Canada" seems to be an accurate depiction. As a result, everything I hear about a specific socio-economic group, I take with a grain of salt.

Recently, while pondering the incredibly high testing fees at a certain school in the area, someone mentioned that Korean business people are known for their overly aggressive attitude towards profiting in business - essentially; "take advantage of them before they take advantage of you". Naturally, alarm bells started to sound in the back of my mind. This sounds like propaganda, but I'm no authority in this matter. The person whom I heard this from has spent several years working in Korea, and is not someone I distrust or trust. Basically, I'm looking for a second opinion.

Question:
Can anyone offer information about the Korean business ethic? Is it a cultural norm to line your pockets at any cost?

**Kumsul Player** · 12-01-2003, 11:20

"....Korean business people are known for their overly aggressive attitude towards profiting in business - essentially; "take advantage of them before they take advantage of you". ...."

With all due respect, that is an ethic found in many cultures. Why be in business if you don't want to make money?

"Can anyone offer information about the Korean business ethic? Is it a cultural norm to line your pockets at any cost?"

The following is not meant to single out Koreans, but since this is the topic at hand I iwll give you my experience (3 years Import/Export company dealing directly with the Korean manufactures, 5 years running my own export company dealing with Korean Medical industry). They are always looking out for the best price to insure their overall profit. They are pushy and will argue their best. Will they shake with their right and stab you in the back with their left? Some do some don't. They are no different than any other culture in the realm of business when it comes down to the basic principals.

**glad2bhere** · 12-01-2003, 11:52

Dear Mark:

Unlike Jeremy I have had no real business experience with the Koreans apart from my dealings with them in the area of KMA.
For quite a while I was rather confused by their deportment. In fact I became so confused that I went out and bought Bruce Cummins book on the Korean culture and later bought THE KOREANS by Michael Breen. This actually made things worse, and I wondered what sort of exploitive, back-stabbing SOB-s these people are. At least that was until I realized that the problem wasn't them---- it was me.

Somewhere along the line I had bought into the idea of the "inscrutable Oriental". In this line of thought Orientals--- and by extension anyone with an epicanthic eye-fold--- are somehow innately exotic, other-worldly, transcendent and wise. The idea of being raised under the influence of Buddhism, Taoism &/or Confucianism somehow relegated them to another universe of intent and motivation. Flipping the coin over, the idea of "getting laid", drinking, smoking, aggressive business practices, fraud and so forth were rationalized (by me) as being toxic influences absorbed from the West and expressed by Koreans who wanted to imitate the West because of our incredible economic success.

The Koreans are no more predisposed towards questionable practices than anyone else. I have found racial prejudice against Whites just as there are racial practices against Koreans in the US. There are the same taboos against inter-racial marriages, assisting someone of another race in deference to your own, and abandoning the customs of your own culture in favor of those of another culture. I think there is a tendency to downplay these sorts of behaviors in our own culture because we feel the natural desire to defend the integrity of what is ours. When others do the same behaviors we tend to see their behavior as affrontive and aggressive.

Personally I eschew the role of commerce in the KMA but I still have problems when it is plain that Korean students in some classes I attend are shown material while I am left to my own devices. Its part of the cost of pursuing the studies I have chosen. If I don't like it, I can always quit. Until then its just people being people--- nothing more and nothing less. FWIW.

Best Wishes,

Bruce

**tpb** · 12-01-2003, 14:26

Thank you both for your replies. You both make very interesting points and it has helped me greatly. As you both pointed out, people, are people, are people - some will try to exploit, while some will try to help. I'm certainly disapointed with myself for not comming to the same conclusion on my own.

Once again, thanks!

**rupertmja** · 11-08-2004, 20:46

Koreans are good at business; they are very tough dealers. They built their country from nothing in just 50 years. Of course, there are some who are less than perfect but when it comes to running a dojang there is little room for corruption. A few might charge high fees but such is right up front. In Korea, most charge pretty standard rates - there is a lot of competition, after all. There are not a lot of over-inflated grades either. Once an instructor (sabeom), the grade typically becomes less important - it just increases with continuity etc.

Rupert Atkinson

**kodanjaclay** · 11-09-2004, 00:28

Rupert,

Have you heard about the fees the KHF wants to charge? 3K for the sabom course... if that is accurate, it is unreal.

Also, I would beg to differ about them rebuilding their country in 50 years. I would say a good portion of that re-building came as a result of American intervention and finances.

**Kumsul Player** · 11-09-2004, 07:42

Originally Posted by kodanjaclay

Rupert,

Have you heard about the fees the KHF wants to charge? 3K for the sabom course... if that is accurate, it is unreal.

Also, I would beg to differ about them rebuilding their country in 50 years. I would say a good portion of that re-building came as a result of American intervention and finances.

Keep in mind that it was not too long ago that Korea was thought of as a 3rd world country. In 50 years they did rebuild their country both with our help. However, many of the business men became quite corrupt in their ways. This is why we saw the collapsing of the buildings back around 95 or so. Many of them cut corners to put money in their pockets.

I did my business with them back in 1994-1999. Back then they were just starting to bloom in their economy (600-800 won to the dollar), then their economy took a dive for the worst skyrocketing the won to 1800 won to the dollar at one point. Even now it is around 1200. Corruption and scams still run amok over their. However, they still are striving to be a player in the world economy. Even now we are starting to see more influx of products from companies such as LG, Daewoo, Hyundai, KIA, Hankuk, and Sanyo.

**kodanjaclay** · 11-09-2004, 09:14

Isn't Sanyo Japanese?

**Kumsul Player** · 11-10-2004, 08:15

Nope...They are a Korean company. I am not sure which subsidary they are, but they are Korean. Plus let's not forget Samsung items in that list I mentioned earlier. Don't know how I could forget. Half of my electronics is Samsung.

**DragonMind** · 11-10-2004, 13:26

Sorry, Sanyo IS a Japanese company (founded in 1947 in Osaka). See their web site for the company's history. http://www.sanyo.com/aboutsanyo/corp_history.cfm

They did form an alliance in 2002 with Samsung but they are still Japanese.

**Kumsul Player** · 11-11-2004, 07:34

Originally Posted by DragonMind

Sorry, Sanyo IS a Japanese company (founded in 1947 in Osaka). See their web site for the company's history. http://www.sanyo.com/aboutsanyo/corp_history.cfm

They did form an alliance in 2002 with Samsung but they are still Japanese.

Well there you go. I learned something today.

**rupertmja** · 11-17-2004, 19:58

Originally Posted by kodanjaclay

Rupert,

Have you heard about the fees the KHF wants to charge? 3K for the sabom course... if that is accurate, it is unreal.

Also, I would beg to differ about them rebuilding their country in 50 years. I would say a good portion of that re-building came as a result of American intervention and finances.

Wow - that is an expensive course. But, I guess they are upfront about it thus they are not really cheating you. In my own art - Aikido - fees can be high and I avoid them by not grading! I am never gonna be a professional big-guy so I can't see the point.

Compared to the rest of the thrid world, much of which received a lot of foreign aid, Korea has done pretty well for itself - some assert it is a Confucian-Asian thing, cultural based success. The Philipines, who also had a lengthy American presence yet lack the Confucian mind-set, are way behind.

Rupert Atkinson

**David Craik** · 11-17-2004, 21:25

From the few times I've been to Korea, I'd say your friend was pretty much on target.

**Steve-O** · 03-13-2005, 03:37

Koreans really are the stingiest people you could ever meet. If there's a penny to be saved, they'll save it any means necessary. This kind of behavior becomes real obvious after 18 years.

**Kumsul Player** · 03-16-2005, 07:25

Originally Posted by Steve-O

Koreans really are the stingiest people you could ever meet. If there's a penny to be saved, they'll save it any means necessary. This kind of behavior becomes real obvious after 18 years.

Wow, thank you so much for saying that. You know I was thinking I was going to go through my day without dealing with one f***ing idiot, but luckily you decided to post this. So tell me, how many Koreans have you dealt with Mr. Einstein to come to this conclusion?

**Steve-O** · 03-16-2005, 22:33

I think being born in Inchon, South Korea might have something to do with it.

**dao** · 03-17-2005, 09:34

Some of the Korean immigrants I've met remind me of one of my Grandmother who grew up during the Great Depression in the US. She worked very hard for her money, demanded that she be paid what she was worth, proud of her accomplishments, she was very sensitive about not being cheated and finding bargins and being extremely conservative in investments. In other words I don't think its racial as much as the conditions which one comes from which are the dominant force in forming monitary values, if that makes sense. I don't think any Culture is more apt to stinginess.

Oh, in regards to ancestory as far as I know I'm an American Euro-mutt and most of ancestors were either Irish, Gernan or French.

**Kumsul Player** · 03-18-2005, 14:05

Originally Posted by Steve-O

I think being born in Inchon, South Korea might have something to do with it.

Oh, this is where I am supposed to say "wow..I really stepped in it that time" Sorry but you're still and idiot for that, but now I see you as self loathing idiot. So you mean to tell me that you are the stingiest person I will ever meet?

Yes there are stingy Koreans, just as there are stingy Americans, stingy Africans, stingy British, etc...etc... To generalize a heritage is just ignorant, yes even if you are from that heritage.

**ushankido** · 03-18-2005, 15:28

Steve-O,

Since you live in Southern California, and we have the largest Korean population outside of Korea, then you are surrounded by a lot of stingy Koreans.

Grow up and get a life!