Understanding Korea
Updated Friday, July 04, 2008

*  Mastering Business in Korea:  A Practical Guide, a 270-page book is now on sale.  To get an idea of this book, please read the endorsements, table of contents, acknowledgements, and the Foreword by Nick Reilly, President of GM Asia-Pacific.  To order your copy, click here or go to www.seoulselection.com

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FSC's Position Does Not Block LS from Selling Their Shares by Richard Wacker, CEO, Korea Exchange Bank, July 4, 2008, followed by There are No Legal Barriers to KEB Sale, Maeil Economic Daily, week of June 23, 2008

South Koreans Loyal to Samsung Despite Scandals  - An overriding cynicism about the Korean legal system saves the chaebol from major outrage, International Herald Tribune/New York Times, December 3, 2007
 
Corporate Korea Corks the Bottle as Women Rise  - Female employees are challenging Korea's corporate drinking culture, The New York Times, June 10, 2007

From Peace Corps Volunteer to Top Business Executive Advisor - Interview of Tom Coyner, Korea Times. April 2, 2007

Korean Business Feels the Pinch between China and Japan- Four articles from the International Herald Tribune, Chosun Ilbo, and Financial Times, March 19~28, 2007

Korea-US Trade Deal Bogged Down as Clock Ticks - In Korea, debate rages over merits of free trade pact with US, South China Morning Post, December 20, 2006

US-ROK FTA – A Lost Opportunity in the Making? by Tom Coyner - Why the recent US elections place the current FTA negotiations in peril at Korea's expense, Nov. 15, 2006

Published Articles on Doing Business in Korea - practical tips and perspectives, updated almost weekly, by Tom Coyner

Slowly, the Chaebol Heed Shareholders - Champions of prosperity, when it comes to creating and maintaining shareholder wealth the chaebol continue to get poor marks from local investors despite 10 years of government-led changes, International Herald Tribune, Nov. 4, 2006

What Could Go Wrong With China? - Idealism and nationalism jostle daily with rapacity and naked self-aggrandizement, as do political stability and potentially explosive unrest. That's what makes China so unpredictable, Barrons, July 31, 2006

Myths & Realities of Corporate Sales by Tom Coyner - Moving from order taking to selling in Korea can be a challenge, Korea Times, May 9, 2006

10 + 1 Commandments for Doing Business - Stick to these 11 cardinal rules and you will do just fine in Korea, Korea Times, March 27, 2006

Consultant Offers Advice for Making Soft Landing in Korea - Tom Coyner, president of Soft Landing Korea, believes South Korea is the best spot for foreign firms wanting to break into Northeast Asia, Korea Times, Jan. 10, 2006;

The Chill Wind of Korean Xenophobia  - For the ROK to maintain the momentum toward globalization, it's government  must show strong leadership in demonstrating the benefits of an open and market-driven economy, and educate and enlighten the public, Far East Economic Review, December 2005

The Making of Korean Brands - Korean brands within less than a decade have muscled their way into the big league of global names, Asia Times, Aug. 18, 2005

Longtime Expats Finding a Niche in Selling Advice to Foreign Firms - Mr. Coyner is one of a handful of expatriates who are marketing their knowledge of Korea to international companies with their sights on this market, JoongAng Daily, March 28, 2005

Selling Through Korean Distributors by Tom Coyner - Indirect selling can be one of the least expensive and lowest risk strategies.  This approach offers obvious advantages, but also contains many hidden pitfalls, Journal of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, 2-part article in the January-February and March-April  2005 editions

Samsung style or Daewoo dull? - Can Korea drop the chaebol straitjacket to ensure that it build more Samsung-type brands? Media, June 4, 2004

Casualties of Debt Bubble Seek Lifeline - Defaulters tell woes to credit counselors, apply for 'bad bank' programs, Korea Herald, April 7, 2004

In South Korea, being 'too old, too experienced' can pose problems finding work - Unemployment profiles in courage, International Herald Tribune, October 25, 2003

Giving Credit Card Firms a Run for the Money - Credit Card companies are now recruiting repo men as they struggle to keep from being completely swamped by the recent tides of delinquent accounts, JoongAng Daily, June 18, 2003

South Korea's Bane, in One Word: Plastic, New York Times, Dec 3, 2002 - countered by Rising credit card delinquencies no cause for concern, Fitch says,Korea Herald, Dec. 4, 2003

'Wired Korea' a Target of Anti-Spam Ire - Many U.S. ISPs still say Korea accounts for a major part of their spam load, JoongAng Daily, Nov 27, 2002,

Analysts of Korean Firms Face Increasing Difficulties on Job - Ability to handle criticism hasn't quite caught up with Korea's new market strength, The Wall Street Journal, July 16, 2002

Samsung Aims to Get Stronger With New British Executive - A 35-year-old Briton was recently named to the highest executive post ever held by a foreigner at Samsung Electronics Co.,  The Wall Street Journal, March 22, 2002

Holding Off the Wal-Marts of the World - So far, E-Mart has bested rivals in Korea's new discount niche, BusinessWeek, January 21, 2002

Korea's Workweek Revolution - The national debate over a five-day standard has raised questions about wages, productivity and economic growth., LA Times, November 18, 2001

Banking: Raising the Bar Can Hurt -Korea First's CEO ushered in accountability. Now, he's out, BusinessWeek online, November 19, 2001

Banking on Korea: Face to Face with Wilfred Horie - President and CEO, Korea First Bank talks about turning the bank around, handling government, media and labor relations, American Chamber of Commerce in Korea Journal, September-October 2001

Thin Is Beautiful - Global investors are pressuring companies to be lean and mean. So why do the chaebol refuse to go on a diet? Wall Street Journal, September 10, 2001

Smashing the Six Shibboleths of Korean Sales - A consultant focuses her sights on outmoded thinking among Korea's sales forces - and what changes they need to implement if they are  to remain competitive, Yeri Choi Coyner,  American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, May-June 2001

Daewoo Chief Begs a Thousand Pardons Following Massive Layoffs at Auto Maker - The Wall Street Journal, June 26, 2001

CEOs: Know Your Company - Korea's hands-off managing system makes for a big difference in doing international business, Korea Herald, June 21, 2001

South Korea:  Headed for Economic Shock - Facing nationwide strikes, debt troubles and drought,  Pres. Kim's falling popularity has left him unable to push through needed economic reforms, Stratfor.com, June 12, 2001

South Korea Braces for Wave Of Maturing Corporate Debt - Crunch time is approaching for South Korea, threatening a liquidity shortage, The Wall Street Journal, June 1, 2001

Auditor's Investigation Finds 70% of Sales at Lernout & Hauspie Unit Were Fake - The Wall Street Journal, April 9, 2001

Six Korean Sales Myths that Have to be Broken -by Yeri Choi Coyner, April 2001

Knowledge-Based Society e-Korea Project Launched - Korea is fast becoming one of the most Internet-savvy countries in the world, Korea Times, Feb. 27, 2001

Internet power play in S. Korea - The old-style conglomerates call the tune as new ventures struggle, AP, Feb. 24, 200

Korea risks tag of global money laundering refuge - a global supervisory body may soon brand Korea as a money laundering haven, Korea Herald, Feb. 12, 2001

Fast Country - When it comes to the New Economy, South Korea, with an old economy one-tenth the size of Japan's, is leaving its former colonial master in the dust, J@pan Inc Magazine December 2000 issue,

How High-Tech Dream Shattered in Scandal at Lernout & Hauspie - A bizarre scene in Korea is just the latest strange twist in the growing financial scandal at L&H, Wall St. Journal, Dec. 7, 2000,

Korea's Winter of Discontent - Pressure is rising to push indebted companies to the wall. Strong unions threaten more unrest while foreign investors are losing patience, Far East Economic Review,  Dec. 7, 2000

Why Are The Koreans Going Online - Asian Banker Interactive, November 21, 2000

South Korea Dumps the Past, at Last - Daewoo Motor is bust. That could be good news for the country, and for Asia, Nov 11th 2000, The Economist

Inchon's Flight of Fancy - There are doubts about  Korea's mammoth new airport at Inchon becoming an Asian cargo and passenger hub, dated Far East Economic Review, October 19, 2000

Pushing Plastic -A government campaign to stop tax evasion is shaking up the way Korea thinks about money, Far East Economic Review,  October 12, 2000

Korea Is Leaving Japan in the Digital-Age Dust - Japanese should heed their neighbor's example, BusinessWeek, August 8, 2000

Belgian Giant Used Burgers, Humor To Win Its Korean Staff's Support - The Wall Street Journal, July 24, 2000

Traditional Business Practices Changing in South Korea  - USA Today, July 25, 2000

'PC bang' helps Koreans embrace Net -Los Angeles Times Service, July 21, 2000

Successful Korean Summit Bodes Well For Southern Firms Weighing Chances - Wall Street Journal, June 16, 2000

South Korea's Day-trading Mania - Online, off course, The Economist, June 10, 2000

Finance, Internet Firms Push for Cyber Cash Project  - a summary of the current state of e-cash and smart cards in Korea, Korea Times, May 25, 2000

Reviewing President Kim's First Two Years Building A New Economy - by Peter M. Beck, Korea Economic Institute of America, Feb. 24, 2000, Korea Times

The Latest Chaebol Game Plan: Stalking Cyber Startups - late to join Korea's New Economy, the conglomerates are quickly buying in, Businessweek, April 3, 2000

Powering Ahead - Economic Monitor: South Korea, Far East Economic Review, April 6, 2000,

Korean Reform: a job half done?- Despite improved conditions, structural weaknesses continue to undermine the recovery of the Korean economy, asiamoney, Dec. 1999/Jan. 2000

Chaebol chairmen's absolute power still unchallenged despite reform drive - Korea Herald, Jan. 22, 2000

Net service to be 1,000 times faster by 2004 - Korea Herald, Jan. 17, 2000

Dreams Come True - South Korea's sizable animation industry, Far East Economic Review, Jan. 13, 2000

South Korea's Economy Has Put Crisis Behind It - San Jose Mercury News, December 1, 1999

Korea's Chance with Labor - Far East Economic Review, Nov. 4, 1999

Government Crackdown on the Hanjin Group and Other Chaebols - 2 articles from the Korea Times and the Korea Herald, 10/5~6/99

Samsung Electronics Chip Wars -  The Far East Economic Review, September 23, 1999

Battle of Wills - Pres. Kim vs. the Chaebols, The Far East Economic Review, August 26, 1999

The Death of Daewoo - The Economist, August 21, 1999

How Korean Pride Rallied to Save a Software Maker- New York Times, August 15, 1999

Scholar Sparks Heated Debate Over Korea's Reforms - Kenichi Ohmae touches some nerves in Korea - Aug. 12, 1999, The Korea Times

S. Korea's Alarming Recovery - from the July 31, 1999 The Economist

Dark Side to Korea Recovery?- EE Times review of the chaebols, July 5, 1999

Saintly or Self-Serving? - S. Koreans Rate President Kim - Washington Post Foreign Service, June 10, 1999

South Korea Gets New Lease on Economic Life- LA Times report, June 5, 1999 report, June 5, 1999

Scourage of the Chaebol-The chaebol are not used to being bossed around by  private citizens such as Jang Hasung, Economist, Mar. 27, 1999

Goldman Sachs Sees 4% S Korea Growth- as reported by Reuters on March 18, 1999

Korea Takes on Family Groups-Update on chaebol reform from Mar. 11, 1999, Washington Post

Size Doesn't Matter- in Korea's new economy, from Mar. 4, 1999 Far East Economic Review

Samsung, Hyundai Battle to be No. 1-  from Feb. 22, 1999 Korea Inc.

Now the Hard Part- Korea Government's challenge to steady the course - Far East Economic Review, Feb. 25, 1999

IMF says S Korea in Full Recovery- Reuters, Feb. 3, 199 Feb. 3, 1999

Seoul Survivors - after the overhaul, Korean banks and their managers face a brave new world from Jan. 30, 1999, The Economist

The Chaebol that Ate Korea - update one year after the crisis from the 11/14/98 Economist

Same Old Story- Korea needs a better skilled press to explain its challenges - Far East Economic Review, 11/5/98

South Korea Democracy Lacks Courage-Los Angeles Times interview with Kim Donggil, 10/5/98

Nem con? A political update from the 9/28/98 Economist

The Real Asian Miracle;The World's Biggest Going-Out-of-Business Sale - Controversial report from the May 31, 1998 New York Times

Second Founding of the ROK - transcript of Dr. You, Jong-keun, Cholla Bukdo Governor and Economic Advisor to the President at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Tokyo, 91/1/98

Recovery May Still Be Far Off For South Korea's Economy - By Michael Schuman of The Wall Street Journal, September 3, 1998

Going For Broke- Far East Economic Review, June 11, 1998 editorial on what's broken

Crisis in the Korean Market Today - Lessons for Japan Tomorrow? - Coyner's presentation to the AEA

A Business Traveler's Korean Notes - some observations of  Seoul from my mid January 1998 trip

China puppet-play a plus for Koreas by Andrei Lankov - A compelling argument why reunification of the two Koreas has become unlikely, Asia Times, Feb. 21, 2008

The Mirage of A United Korea - The unification drive of the two Koreas resembles a Taoist paradox: Doing less and less is really achieving more and more. To hold together different parts of a whole, one must first let them go their separate ways, Far East Economic Review, November 2006

Korean Brothers as Different as North and South - One a spy for the North in the South; the other a refugee from the North, International Herald Tribune,  March 10, 2006

N Korea’s Bogus Breakthrough - Unless there is significant progress in November's fifth round, the Statement of Principles will prove as useless as the Agreed Framework of 1994, Far East Economic Review, September 2005

Dumb and Dumber:  The Bush administration thinks negotiating with North Korea is appeasement. South Korea thinks negotiating requires appeasement, Washington Monthly, July-August, 2005

You Say Okjeryok, I Say Deterrent - No Wonder We Don't Agree - The N Korean  accord is a linguistic minefield, Washington Post,  September 25, 2005

For many, two Koreas may be better than one - Strong arguments are heard that continued division, or at least delayed union, might serve, well, everyone's interests, International Herald Tribune, July 1, 2005

N Korean Refugees - The Beginning of a Flood? - The causes and surrounding multi governmental hypocrisies of the first mass exodus of N Korean refugees since the Korean War, Asian Times Online, July 29, 2004

Goguryeo - a cause that unites the two Koreas versus China's long-term designs, South China Morning Post, February 28, 2004

For North Koreans, working in South can be a challenge - The South's freewheeling economic system can be just as hard as life in the North, JoongAng Daily, December 25, 2003

Asymmetric Threats and Implications for the U.S.-ROK Alliance -  By Stephen Bradner, For Presentation to the Council on Korea-U.S. Security Studies, 14 October 2002, Seoul

Pyongyang's Tough Talk May Unite Its Adversaries - N Korea's tough tactics may be backfiring, Wall St Journal, Sept. 2, 2003

North Korea's Trojan Horse - Pyongyang's real purpose in seeking a non-aggression pact is to use it as a Trojan horse to rupture the already strained U.S.-South Korean military alliance, Wall St Journal, August 21, 2003

North Korea's Bid for Security Pledge Could Be a Trap - The real problem with a security guarantee is that the quid would not match the quo, LA Times, Aug. 17, 2003

The United States, North Korea, and the End of the Agreed Framework - With stunning rapidity, Washington and Pyongyang have unraveled close to a decade of painfully crafted diplomatic arrangements designed to prevent full-scale nuclear weapons development on the Korean Peninsula, Naval War College Review, Summer 2003

Upping the Ante for Kim Jong Il - Pentagon Plan 5030, a new blueprint for facing down North Korea, US News and World Report, July 21, 2003

Pyongyang: keep the gloves on for now - Tempting as it may be, at this stage adopting  the hard line may not be  the right one to take, Japan Times, July 2, 2003

Home the Hard Way - Hundreds of South Koreans have been abducted by the North over the decades, and only a handful have ever escaped. For those that do return, Seoul is providing less than a hero's welcome, TIMEAsia.com, June 7, 2003

U.S. Options in South Korea - A drive to compel the United States to withdraw its military forces from South Korea is picking up steam from the left and the right, The Japan Times, Jan. 7, 2003

Anti-Americanization of South Korea- The anti-Americanization of S Korea has reached such a degree that it gives the North subtle leverage over the South, The Korea Herald, October 23, 2002

Dealing With Dictators - Saddam Hussein and Kim Jong Il have something in common: not the so-called axis of evil, but the fact that neither can take yes for an answer, New York Times, July 18, 2002

See Ya, Suckers - Dozens of South Korean companies responded to President Kim’s call to go North, only to get fleeced and retreat with heavy losses, Newsweek International, September 3, 2001

A Road Through Seoul - By Henry Kissinger,  The Washington Post,  March 6, 2001

The South Korean Spy Chief Who Paved the Way for Thaw With North -Point man's worries - will hard-liners retaliate? International Herald Tribune, Jan. 31, 2001

Korean Security - The Millennial Moment - The Bush administration would do well to construct more realistic, less romantic, policies than its predecessor, The Asian Wall Street Journal, January 15, 2001

To Hyundai's Chagrin, Few Want to Tour North Korea - International Herald Tribune,  Jan. 17, 2001

The Korea Challenge - Kim Dae Jung  worries that his rapprochement with N Korea may be undone because of misjudgments by the new Bush administration, Washington Post, Jan. 7, 2001

Seoul to Make Its Case for 'Sunshine' Policy - Kim Dae Jung Wants Bush Team's Support, International Herald Tribune, Jan. 6, 2001

The Moral Cost Of Engagement - S Korea is paying a price for reconciliation with the North: Any criticism of  Pyongyang is actively discouraged, Far East Economic Review,  Dec. 28, 2000

N. Koreans Put Pride Before Poverty in Reunions With the South - Not having much,  N. Korea does have its pride as amply demonstrated in three days of inter-Korean family reunions, LA Times, Dec. 2,  2000

Threat From North Korea Rising, U.S. Army Warns - International Herald Tribune, Paris, Friday, September 8, 2000

Ham Sok-Hon's Advice for Today: "Put your sword down and think hard!"- Speculation on what Teacher Ham may have advised as Korea faces North-South rapprochement, by Tom Coyner. 

'Put your sword down and think hard!'- an abridged version of the above "Ham Sok-Hon's Advice for Today," published in the September 6, 2000 Korea Herald.

A Prize, but Not Yet Peace - Kim Dae Jung's mission to bring peace to the divided Korean peninsula remains far from complete, Oct 19th 2000,  The Economist

Kim Dae-Jung's Nobel Peace Prize - Three perspectives from Oct. 13~15, 2000 papers.

Garrison Town Wary of Korea Peace Steps - Southerners Fear the Economic Cost, New York Times, October 2, 2000

How Much For One Korea? - Prospects for the eventual reunification of North and South Korea appear bright. Yet it is premature to assume reunification will occur smoothly, Asian Wall St. Journal, October 2, 2000

'Why the Inter-Korean Rail Link Will Be Important - Two articles - American and Korean - analyzing why the proposed inter-Korean rail link will have major international economic importance, Stratfor.com and Korea Times, early August 2000

Pro-North Korean Ex-Prisoners Assume Role Playing for Unification  - Korea Times, July 3, 2000

Korea’s Family Fortunes - After the exciting meeting of the leaders of the two Koreas, the cold and costly realities begin to dawn, The Economist, July 1, 2000

New, Improved Dictator - Who knew Kim Jong Il had a kinder, gentler side? The sourpuss- turned-showman stole the summit, TIME, June 26, 2000

Two Koreas Need to Slow Down Border Opening Even After Unification - German Ambassador Vollers, Korea Times, June 22, 2000

Don't Expect the Korean Wall to Come Crashing Down - Considerable progress has been made in bringing North and South closer, but full reunification could take decades, BusinessWeek, June 16, 2000

Korea Herald correspondent gives account of Pyongyang summit - Korea Herald, June, 19, 2000

For the South, a TV Stunner; in the North, Fanfare Is Lacking - New York Times, June 15, 2000

Why the North-South Summit Matters - First steps of friendship? BBC, by Aidan Foster-Carter, Friday, 9 June, 2000

Inter-Korean Summit Draws Concern - Global Intelligence Update, May 9, 2000,

North Korea Eyeing Hong Kong Reintegration Plan - STRATFOR.COM Global Intelligence Update -October 13, 1999

The Road From Berlin - Nicholas Eberstadt comments on the U.S.-NK talks in Berlin, Chosun Ilbo, Sept. 14, 1999

Time to Force an Endgame - Robt. Manning on N Korea in July 11, 1999 LA Times

Perry's Progress - US envoy breaks the ice in N Korea, Far East Economic Review, June 10, 1999

S. Korea's Kim Defends Policy Toward North - President Says Engagement, Not Cold War, Is Best Way to Change Relations, Washington Post, June 24, 1999

Seoul Style - This site  updates major content twice a month, with weekly updates on upcoming event.  It  offers a section for housewives, with comments on different supermarkets, suggestions for where to shop for housing and home decorations and a list of foreign schools, women's support groups and hospitals.  Ito has sections on food, fashion and fitness, in which she discusses and suggests different places or styles.

Town Max - An interactive site to service the professional expatriate community, with daily community information on business, social events and leisure activities.

Work n Play - An English web site devoted to living in Korea. Under forums there is information on visas, taxes, legal issues, accommodations, and living in Korea. There are also sections on buying and selling items, leisure and entertainment, relationships, travel and transportation. The homepage includes a section on "hot" jobs, but for a more in-depth listing, click on the jobs banner, which is divided into jobs offered and jobs wanted. Blogs, however, are the heart of the site.

Daejeon Web - The site offers a calendar of events, classified ads, features, forums, guides and photos. Under guides is a section on transportation, medical guides and shopping. You can link to sites for Busan, Daegu and one for Seoul through the Daejeon homepage.

 North Korea - Discover North Korea - a library of links on North Korea

 North-Korea Resources - North Korea related news, books and regional resources