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South Korea: Basic Facts

● Official name: Republic of
Korea
● Location: East Asia; bordered
by North Korea to the north,
the Sea of Japan to the east, the
East China Sea to the south,
and the Yellow Sea to the west.
● Capital: Seoul ● Head of state: President Moon
● Population: 51,164,435 (2018) Jae-in (pictured above)
● Form of government: Unitary ● Language: Korean
multiparty republic with one ● Currency: won (₩)/ KRW
legislative house ● Time zone: Korea Standard
Flag (left) of South Korea (right)
Implicit Culture,
Do’s and Don’ts
● Why do Koreans act the way
they do?
● What should we do to get
along with them?
Korean Values
According to Edward and Mildred
Hall:
● High-context vs low-context
● Monochronic vs polychronic
● Past-oriented vs present-
oriented vs future-oriented
According to Geert Hofstede:
● High power distance vs low
power distance
● Individualist vs collectivist
● Masculine vs feminine
● High uncertainty avoidance
vs low uncertainty avoidance
Korea is a high-context culture
● Koreans want to preserve DO ✔️:
harmony and good relations.
● There is a saying: “make a ● Phrase questions in a manner
friend first and a client that allows for discussion. For
second.” example, ask, “When can we
● They regard saying “no” as expect delivery?” and not, “Will
poor etiquette. the delivery be in two weeks?”
● Unhappiness will usually be
voiced very vaguely.
● Body language and
appearance are important.
Korea is a high-context culture (continued)
DO ✔️:

● Bow for greeting and departing

Korea is a high-context culture (continued)

DON’T ❌:

● Criticize people in ● Force an issue if you

public. This will cause sense reluctance.
them to lose face. ● Accept compliments
directly. Be modest.
Korea is a monochronic culture
● Punctuality is a sign of
respect.
● Same-day response is the
norm. If you go one week
without communication, the
other person will think you are
not interested and/or want to
end the project.
DO ✔️:
● Make an appointment a few
weeks in advance of a meeting.
Usual meeting times:
○ Mid-morning (10 AM to 12
PM)
○ Mid-afternoon (2 PM to 4
PM)
● If you are going to be a little
late, call ahead to inform the
other person. Arrive punctually
even when your host does not.
Korea is a future-oriented culture
● The country’s focus is DO ✔️:
more oriented towards
● Be updated with new
the development of its
trends before visiting
nation.
the country
● Gives importance to
● Be respectful and keep
educational attainment
an open mind
● Trend setters
Korean society has a high power distance
● Most decisions are executed DO ✔️:
at the top and delegated
● When talking to a Korean, use
downwards.
his or her professional and
● Managers expect that their
honorific titles, followed by the
instructions will be obeyed.
family name, until given
● Age, education, position in
permission to do otherwise.
the company, and marital
For example: Director Lee.
status determine one’s rank in
● If unsure, use Mr/Mrs/Ms and
society. The “superior” is
their family name.
treated with respect, while the
“junior” is subservient.
Korean society has a high power distance
DO ✔️: ● When sending delegations,
choose representatives who
● Show respect to seniors.
are on par with their Korean
○ The most senior Korean
counterparts.
enters and is seated first in
meetings. Remove your DON’T ❌
jacket only after the senior
● Do not deal with high ranking
Korean does.
○ Elders are served first at official if you are just
mealtime. subordinate or junior
member/employee.
Korean society is collectivist
The core of South Korean culture
revolves around the close
involvement and inclusion of
others. By interacting in a group
and participating in group activities
as opposed to individual activities,
their interdependence is constantly
reinforced and strengthened.
Koreans develop a sense of identity
through relationships of their social
connections
DO ✔️
● Practice inhwa or harmony.
● Focus on “us” rather than “me”.
Follow and prioritize the rules
and values of the company or
group.
DON’T ❌
● Single out individuals, or else
you will risk shaming them.
Is Korean society masculine or
feminine?
● Hofstede originally classified ● Nowadays, Korea is becoming
Korean culture as feminine,
more of a masculine culture.
because Koreans tend to be ● People are becoming more
relationship-oriented, even competitive.
with their deceased (ex. ● People tend to live in order to
Ancestor worship)
work - Koreans work the
● Conflicts are resolved by
longest hours in the OECD
compromise and negotiation. (Organization for Economic
Incentives such as free time
Cooperation and Development)
and flexibility are favoured. ● Women still largely regarded as
Focus is on well-being, status is inferior to men.
not shown.
Koreans tend to avoid uncertainty
South Korea is one of the DO ✔️

most uncertainty avoiding • Strict rules, laws, policies and

countries in the world. It regulations are implemented.
Therefore, just follow them. 
maintain rigid codes of
belief and behaviour and
DON’T ❌
are intolerant of
unorthodox behaviour ● Break the rules.
● Take unfamiliar risks.
and ideas.
Other things to remember: gift giving
DO ✔️
● When invited to a Korean
home, bring a gift for the
hostess, like chocolates or
flowers, but not alcohol.
● Wrap gifts in an attractive way,
preferably in bright yellow or
green.
● Accept gifts with both hands.
DON’T ❌
● Give knives or scissors as gifts,
or things in sets of four.
● Give overly expensive gifts.
● Use red ink or dark wrapping
paper.
● Open a gift immediately. You
must wait until the giver is
absent.
Other things to remember: dining out
DO ✔️
● Always wait to be seated by
your host.
● Leave your glass half full if you
don’t want to drink more.
● Pass and receive food with
both hands, or support your
right hand with your left.
DON’T ❌
● Pour your own drink.
● Tip if you see a “no tipping”
sign.
● Point with your chopsticks.
● Leave your chopsticks sticking
out of your bowl.
● Refuse if asked to sing a solo
after dinner.
● Refuse if invited to drink or
party after dinner.
Other things to remember: business card
DO ✔️
● Provide a business card with
both hands, and with the face
up so it’s easier to read. Then
take a moment to examine it
and comment on it before
putting it away in a case.
● Use business card case
● Provide translated version of
your business card
DON’T ❌
● Don’t give a business card
between your fingers and with
one hand.
● Don’t keep your business
cards in your wallet.
● Never hand out a ripped,
torn or dirty business card.
● Don’t just take a business
card and stuck it away in
one of your pockets as soon
as you receive it, this is
References
Business Practices and Etiquette. (1970, September 08). Retrieved from
://www.korea4expats.com/article-business-practices-etiquette.html

Advisor, I. M. (n.d.). Doing Business in South Korea. Retrieved from

http://www.southkorea.doingbusinessguide.co.uk/the-guide/south-korean-
culture/

Chuy, M. (2018, March 22). Understanding South Korean Business Etiquette.

Retrieved from https://www.10mag.com/understanding-south-korean-
business-etiquette/

Country Comparison. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.hofstede-

insights.com/country-comparison/south-korea/