Thoughts on Korean Business by Don Southerton

I found this article discussing Korean labor law and Temp employees. In Korea, many work as temporary employees for two years. Then they must leave. Most never are hired as regular staff. ( Less than 5% get hired). In the office the temporary staffers are usually young women hoping to get into college or taking evening classes. They are always studying :) Other plan to marry and raise a family vs a career path. This group work for two or three firms ( 2 years with each firm), then marry. Most K offices have a number of the these Temps, which come and go. Years ago these Temps were the only women in the Korean corporate world. In contrast, today, more and more women are taking white collar jobs as full time team members. DS Some details in K media Exactly one year ago on July 1, a law aimed at protecting irregular workers, “The Contractual and Part-time Worker Protection Act,” came into force. After six years of controversy, the law was implemented to require employers to hire part-t...

North Korea is an enigma. I have studied the regime for years--partly for academic reasons, partly because I'm often asked on the status of North-South Korean relations. Moreover, my new book looks at Americans working in the region in the early 1900s. Essentially, the latest events are but another step in a long series of negotiations. Expect more impasse, and slow progress. Questions, please feel free to call or email. DS SEOUL, South Korea -- In a gesture demonstrating its commitment to halt its nuclear weapons program, North Korea blew up the most visible symbol of its plutonium production Friday, South Korean media reported from the site. The 60-foot cooling tower at the North’s main nuclear power plant was demolished on Friday, as promised by the North Korean government. The collapse of the concrete structure, the most conspicuous part of the nuclear complex at Yongbyon, 60 miles north of Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, bore witness to the incremental progress that has ...

Seoul is highly urban. Most Koreans remark that where they work is important and linked to status. Most prefer a new high rise office complex. This article highlights that L ocation Matters . Corporate consultant Kim Hae-rim, who works in a 40-story high-rise on the upper side of Teheran Street in southern Seoul, says she sometimes feels like she's part of a New York-set movie. It's the atmosphere here. It's so upbeat, says the 28-year-old single worker, who lived in Manhattan for four years. Supporting her preference, Kim's typical day explains why she is all for Teheran. Teheran Boulevard was named after the Iranian capital in the 1970s when Korea enjoyed good relations with the Islamic state that saw the fall of the Shah in 1979 and has become an Islamic state facing international pressure on its nuclear programs. But Teheran Blvd. Saw a boom and bust cycle during the Korean dotcom era, leaving behind a good infrastructure of office buildings and planned urban land...

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There is no denying the massive public protests last week highlight that many in Korea are discontent. Most realize that the beef issue is but a focal point. I see the protest as push back against President Lee Myung-bak, his management style, and aggressive drive for change. Like we find globally, those protesting represent many group. In fact, those pouring into the street in Korea represented groups ranging from those concerned about education, the environment, to President Lee's move to privatize Korean health care. A recent push to mobilize the Unions against the government was also launched. In the past, Unions, Farmers, and students formed the core for reform and protests in Korea. In fact, they drove the return to democracy in the late 1980s. Interesting, this week the activist Korean Confederation of Trade Unions saw a setback, when workers at Hyundai Motor Union voted down a KCTU-led strike. However, union officials see the vote differently. SEOUL, June 17 (Yonhap) -- Th...

I just finished the storyline on my new historical novel, A Yankee in the Land of the Morning Calm: The Northern Frontier . Much of the book centers on Americans living in Korea during the early 1900s. Quite interestingly Americans were successful traders in the port Chemulpo (Incheon) and ran huge mining operations in what is now North Korea. The North Korean ventures gleemed tons of gold and copper.  Port of Chemulpo ( modern day Incheon)  c1900 The Oriental Consolidated Mining Company, Chittabalbie near Un-san North Korea c 1900 I expect to complete the book very soon. A Fall 2008 publication date is planned.

I have an Indian acquaintance, we often discuss Korea-based business with operations in India. He has worked with Korean teams. He is also very open to learning about Korean business culture. My Indian friend responded to the May 27 Bridging Culture Worldwide Blog regarding LG. I think the chat is very insightful and will benefit global teams. Hi Don, I read your recent post about LG becoming global. I was curious to know how the senior management chooses the non-Koreans for the major positions. Are they expected to know Korean culture along with the local culture/market they are working with. In case the foreigners don't know the Korean working methods wouldn't it take a longer transition time for them to settle into the organization and be productive? I responded.... Sadly, most [of the new non-Korean global management] know Nothing about the culture. They tend to be in HR, PR, product development, and marketing. The Korean firms are more flexible and open to learn Western p...