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South Korea for Women in Business

By: Dr. Tracey Wilen

"On my first visit to South Korea, I traveled with six men. I was the manager. Koreans, I think, are a lot like the Japanese. They have many similarities and many of the formalities. One thing male visitors like to do is to go to hostess bars and nightclubs after business meetings. I could tell my hosts were worried about me. They wanted to make sure I was happy and would not be offended by the hostess bar experience they had planned. In these bars hostesses feed you hors d'oeuvres, help you drink your drink, and dance as well as chat with you. They dress very sexily too. I really did not know what to expect but wanted to stick with my team. My Korean counterparts were so worried about what to do that they asked for my advice. I said that since they made the plans and I had never been to a Korean after-hours bar, perhaps we should go. So we all went. Well, sure enough, when we got there, all those things I had read about were visible. I was feeling uncomfortable. My hosts, very conscious of my response, asked me again what I wanted to do. I tried to make light of it and said, "Well, I guess the women will have to feed me too." (But I did not dance with the hostesses.) In the end they shortened the night considerably and suggested that I let them know where I would like to spend the next night out. "(Austin, Texas)

In South Korea, as in other Confucian cultures, woman's role is one of deference to men. It is her duty to produce a male heir and manage the family for the comfort of her husband, father, and sons. Among the Four Tigers, South Korea is still the most rigidly traditional. However, at the beginning of the Yi (Choson) Dynasty in the fourteenth century, there is evidence that women had more power. During the Shilla Kingdom (57 B.C. -A.D. 668), there were in fact three ruling queens, one of whom was noted for her outstanding leadership ability. Throughout Korean history women have distinguished themselves in the arts, but the first girls' school did not open until 1886.

In modern times, the number of Korean women entering the work force has increased rapidly, particularly over the last decade, with women accounting for 40 percent of the industrial work force as of 1990.1 This is expected to reverse if reunification with the North occurs, since large numbers of North Korean males are expected to take their place.

In general, women's wages are about 53 percent those of men. Wage controls have forced many women to work as cocktail waitresses rather than accept lower factory wages and poorer working conditions, and most women still quit their jobs when they marry or have a child. It will be some time before women in South Korea receive full acceptance in the work force.

Nevertheless, Korean women are more visibly assertive than their Asian sisters. While they are careful to protect male egos, they state their position more openly and directly than other Asian women. As more women enter the work force, their choices will begin to affect the market more. There will, for example, be more demand for convenience goods, most of which are produced right in South Korea. The country's population growth, however, appears to be slowing, and this will further affect the labor pool. Employers have called for the admission of foreign labor, but this has not yet been widely accepted.

Today, Western businesswomen complain that the Koreans are the most blatantly sexist group in Asia. Not only do they feel that Korean women are discriminated against, but that they also appear, on some occasions, to be denigrated. One of our interviewees recalled that when she attended a Korean cultural show with her hosts, she casually mentioned how beautiful Korean women were. Her host responded, "Yeah, they sure are. But my wife is ugly.'" She was shocked to hear this apparent put down of his wife, whom she later learned was quite beautiful. Why do Korean men say such things? Some say that it is an expression of modesty due to their Confucian upbringing, and that this man was truly thrilled to have such a beautiful wife. He could not, however, brag about his lucky situation, so had to humble himself by saying she was ugly.

Unmarried Western women traveling to South Korea will often be asked about their single status. It is unusual for Korean women to travel unescorted and, from the Korean male standpoint, women should be married and home by their mid-twenties. Married women with children may be asked why they are traveling on business. The assumption here is that the husband is not a good provider and therefore she needs to work.

Traveling to South Korea for businesswomen of Asian descent can be even more uncomfortable than for women of other racial backgrounds. An Asian woman must be very confident and assertive, but not aggressive. If an Asian businesswoman does not display confidence, her Korean contacts may view her as "a typical Korean woman" and withhold their respect. At the same time, our Asian interviewees advised, an Asian woman must not be too aggressive, since she may be subjected to derogatory comments about her double life-a professional woman and a wife and mother with a neglected family and henpecked husband at home.

Remember that as a Western businesswoman and a foreigner your situation will be different from that of Korean women. If you are one of the first Western businesswomen to visit your Korean contacts, you may find yourself viewed as a star. One woman we interviewed told us how many Koreans, even people she didn't know, had left messages at her hotel asking to meet her. As the first Western businesswoman in their area, they were quite curious to see a "live one." Handle this sort of attention graciously. Remember that being viewed as an oddity can make you as effective, if not more effective, than your male counterparts. This chapter contains tips and points on the business and social aspects of business with South Korea.

South Korea - The blend of Modern and the Tradition
By: Alex Albert

Come explore South Korea that is a blend of the very traditional and the ultra modern. The people are hospitable and the visit would be a unique experience. The many attractions, the warm and modern hotels, and the fine dining would make your stay unforgettable. The traveler can get in by air and boat.

South Korea occupies the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and is between the Yellow Sea and the East Sea. Koreans trace their history back to Gojoseon kingdom in 2333 BC and has seen the vicissitudes of time to emerge as what one sees in the present. The country is homogenous with the population with Korean ethnicity and the rest few as the foreign migrant workers. South Korea today is one of the worlds technologically and scientifically advanced nation.

The country has hosted the Seoul Olympics in 1988 and FIFA World Cup 2002 that has displayed the culture and modernity of the nation. South Korea is a land of ancient traditions that is reflected in various forms. Here there are the ancient ruins, the scenic beauty, and the modernity all in a tranquil blend.

The tourist attractions include the Korean peninsula region with the mountains that is a treasure trove for the traveler who wants to be away from the crowded destinations. The capital Seoul is the most visited area and is the 10th largest city in the world. The city also has got to offer the tourist a variety of attractions to bring them back again. The nightlife that is vibrant and the variety of popular Korean cuisines is nothing but the many unforgettable experiences.

The southeastern region has the many archeological treasures that include Gyeongju (ancient capital of Silla kingdom) dates back to 57 BC. The area is nothing but an open air museum with many tombs, temples, that are attracts travelers. For those of you who want a romantic getaway the Jeju Island also called the little Hawaii has the mesmerizing scenic beauty and the tranquility of the nature. The beaches, the national parks, the man made attractions show cases that every traveler would find something here. The visit would enrich knowledge of the culture of this great place and also the people who are hospitable.

South Korea hotels cater to the needs of the travelers according to their style and budget. The luxury hotels offer modern amenities and excellent services to make the stay memorable. While the budget and the discount hotels offer accommodation that is good value for money.

The different types of hotels in South Korea like the resorts, the 5 Star hotel, apartments, the backpacker, the budget and the discount cater to the needs of the visitors. The hotels are located strategically and cater to the needs of the business and the leisure travelers.