Language

Koreans are usually not fluent in English. And they will not say that they don’t understand. Instead they will smile. Learning a few words of Korean will delight a local host.

Value System and Relationships

Korea scores high on the power distance and uncertainty index and low on the individualism index. It is still a very male-dominated society, where hierarchy, rank and age are very important in all interactions. People are family-oriented and Koreans seldom do things on their own - privacy is not recognized as positive. 

Business Climate

Business cards are offered and received using both hands together with a slight bow. Businesspeople dress very conservatively. Homes are often quite small and any entertainment is done at restaurants and bars. Business negotiations are often preceded by late evening entertainment with large meals, drink and socializing. Honey is a great gift!

The Pew Global Attitudes Project is an interactive database that allows users to explore public opinion trends in 55 countries on topics ranging from attitudes towards the U.S. to peoples assessments of their own lives to views about globalization, democratization and extremism and other important issues.

The country ranks as no. 40 (of 180 countries) on Transparency International’s 2008 Corruption Perceptions Index.