The Expatriate Observer 2013 #1

In This Issue A Matter of Fact Get Ready: When in Rome: When in Rome: Over half of South Korea’s popula- Assignment to South Korea .... 1 Faux Pas or Fit Right In ............ 9 Faux Pas or Fit Right In tion – 25.6 million people – live in the Answers ................................. 11 Know Before You Go: Business Seoul Capital Area (which includes Protocol in the UAE...............7 the surrounding Incheon metropolis and Gyeonggi province). Over 630,000 are expatriate residents. Source: Source: Statistics Korea The 2013 • Volume 37 • Number 1 Get Ready: Assignment to South Korea Dean Quinn If you are considering an assignment to South hills and mountains, and 30% of the flat plain Korea, you need some orientation to the cul- contains the majority of the population and ture. Below, I present a high-level overview of farmland. the country and its people, then focus on the Seoul: The capital is Seoul, the fifth larg- “culture of business” you should expect while est city in the world – and, not surprisingly, working there. Of course, for the purposes Korea’s most populous city (10.6 million). of this overview, I have had to make some Seoul’s extreme population density (16,700 broad generalizations. Your mileage may vary per square kilometer) is the highest among – particularly when it comes to interpersonal cities in OECD countries – more than eight relations. times the population density in New York City. Seoul is Korea’s center for business, educa- Overview tion, and culture. It is a thriving center of trade The Expatriate Observer is going Geography: The Republic of Korea (South and industry, and houses textiles, agriculture, online-only! Starting with the next issue (Summer 2013), we are moving to a Korea), situated on the Korean Peninsula, lies fisheries, and electronic products. Seoul’s location in northwest Korea has encouraged digital-only format. You will continue to on the northeastern section of the Asian con- be able to access the newsletter via the expansion of trade and industry in the city, tinent. The country’s northern border is the client site, and we’ll also include a link Demilitarized Zone, created in 1953 by the especially trade with Japan and China. Seoul in our Mercer Mobility Update email. If Korean Armistice Agreement. To the east is the acts as a sort of land bridge between Europe you have any ques-tions, please contact East Sea, to the south the Korea Strait, and to and Northeastern Asia, which makes it an [email protected]. the west the Yellow Sea. international center of logistics and business. South Korea includes 3,000 islands, only The Korean people: Sharing distinct 67 of which have an area of 10 square kilome- physical characteristics, the Korean people ters or more. Most of the country consists of are believed to be descendants of several continued on next page continued from previous page Mongol tribes that migrated onto the Korean Before you have been introduced, Koreans As in many other Asian cultures, busi- Peninsula from Central Asia thousands of can seem cold and serious. But after you are ness cards are critical. At the first meeting, years ago. The major population centers are introduced, they can be extremely gracious handshakes or bows are followed by a formal in the northwest area of Seoul-Inchon and in and generous. If a relationship has not been exchange of cards, with text in Korean on one the fertile southern plain. Koreans speak and established, then strangers cannot work into side. Business cards should have your name, write one language, although several different the system. There is no requirement to be title, organization, business address, and work dialects exist in addition to the standard used polite to strangers. In Korea, where personal and home phone numbers. Begin by present- in Seoul. The Korean alphabet, called Hangul, space is smaller, there is no reason to apolo- ing your card to the highest ranked or senior is easy to learn and write, and has contributed gize if you bump into someone in the street. member of the group. Use both hands, and significantly to South Korea’s very high literacy For Koreans, if someone unknown smiles at present the Korean-translated side first. When rate (98%) and advanced publication industry. them on the bus, they are considered crazy. receiving a card, do not just put it in your The concept of “face” is crucial to Koreans. Religion: Religious freedom is guaran- pocket. Take a few moments to study the card You should always take care not to behave in teed by South Korea’s constitution. Of the and respond to it with the proper respect. Put a manner that would humiliate or embarrass 300 or so registered religions, Buddhism the business cards in a business card case or a a Korean and thereby cause him or her to and Confucianism were dominant in the portfolio. Never write on someone’s business “lose face.” Avoid arguing or criticizing others past, and have shaped both the way of life card in their presence. in public, no matter how subtly, as this could and the attitudes of Koreans since the Three Business meetings are very formal, and result in your “losing face.” Losing control and Kingdoms Period (57–668 CE). More recently, prior appointments are important. You should being emotional in public is unacceptable, Christianity has developed a vast following be punctual and arrange for the necessary even considered dreadful. You should remain since its introduction in the late 18th century, background materials and subject introduc- calm and refrain from showing frustration or and its influence is now being felt throughout tions, giving as much detail as possible to be anger. Doing so will gain you respect and trust. society. A significant plurality of South Koreans communicated beforehand. A person’s status Outbursts of laughter do not always indicate now identify as Christian. is very important, and until everyone’s status amusement; more often, laughter masks loss General business practices: Generally, busi- is clear, Koreans may seem a bit uneasy. The of face, nervousness, shyness, or disapproval. ness conduct is formal, with great value placed highest-ranked businessperson, whether Social etiquette: Korean society’s reliance on punctuality and efficiency. South Koreans female or male, is expected to enter and exit a on Confucian principles means that older or prefer to do business with people with whom meeting room first. The most senior executives more senior persons are shown more respect. they have a personal connection; it is crucial to will seat themselves at the head of the table or be introduced by a third party. 2Copyright 2013 Mercer LLC. Expatriate2013 • Volume Observer 37 • • Winter Number 2009 1 furthest from the door in meetings. Questions must receive unanimous approval. Koreans Since many people sit on the floor in some about one’s education, parents, place of birth, try not to say “no” or to deliver bad news. If restaurants, tight skirts are best avoided. or age all help to determine status. a project or negotiation develops problems, Sleeveless tops and short skirts are consid- Koreans are more at ease as a group than as no one wants to admit there are difficulties; it ered unprofessional in most business set- individuals, and become uncomfortable when may be necessary to look for subtle signs that tings. Businesswomen are expected to dress people speak as individuals or make state- something has gone wrong. When you hear a conservatively, both in and out of the office. ments not in harmony with the stated group “yes,” it may simply mean that you have been Koreans admire quality clothing and will view. If you are part of a group, one person (the understood, not necessarily that your Korean notice your attire as well as accessories and group’s senior member) should be the spokes- counterpart agrees with what you are saying. jewelry. However, it is best to avoid excessively person. The seriousness of your dealings will It is advisable to get any contractual agree- expensive or showy jewelry or accessories. be judged by the status of the representatives ments in writing and make allowances for an Men should avoid wearing jewelry other than in your group. Communicating a list of those inefficient bureaucracy and labor troubles a watch or a wedding ring. who are to attend a meeting outlining their when setting deadlines. status within the company is advisable. Your The traditional respect for age rather than Business Etiquette Tips Korean counterpart is likely to do the same. position may mean that a young (or young- • Appointments are required and should be Koreans are generally highly disciplined looking) non-Korean executive may encounter made three to four weeks in advance. You and hard working, but they can also be dis- problems in meeting senior Korean personnel, should arrive on time; it demonstrates trustful of outsiders and extremely national- and particularly in convincing Korean coun- respect for the person you are meeting. istic. Much Korean behavior is determined terparts that his or her company is taking the • Do not remove your jacket unless the by Confucianism, which teaches respect for business seriously. But increasingly, compa- most senior South Korean does so. superiors, duty to family, and loyalty to friends. nies are promoting and raising an employee’s Have all written materials available in Workers generally respect the companies they salary according to creativity and abilities. • both English and Korean. work for and are driven to help their busi- Women in business: It is rare to find Korean ness succeed. Among co-workers, people of women in positions of authority.

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