I read an article a few weeks ago about foreign investment in South Korea is on a major decline. The government is investigating the reasons.

The reasons are obvious! First, the Korean government makes it EXTREMELY hard for foreign companies to compete against Korean companies. If a Korean wants to buy a foreign car pay about twice the price due to taxes.


There is a good article in the Chosun Ilbo that talks about the other red tape that foreigners deal with. It is obvious why foreign investment has declined even though 3 times the foreigners live in South Korea now than in 2000.

Last April, "K", a 30-year-old Japanese graduate student in Korea, had an unpleasant experience trying to subscribe to a mobile phone service.


Because K is a foreigner, a clerk at the mobile phone company demanded that he either subscribe to the service under the name of a Korean national or pay a W200,000 (US$1=W941) deposit. He had a similar experience trying to subscribe to an Internet service. In the end, K paid the W200,000 deposit to the phone company and he found a Korean friend willing to sign him up for the Internet. But the episodes soured life in Korea for K. "There seem to be too many complicated procedures that foreigners have to go through to live here," he said.

Even the most basic of daily interactions can be stressful for foreigners. Some non-Koreans have reported food shop owners who browbeat them into buying dishes after they sampled a free snack. A visit to a Korean hospital can be a terrifying experience for foreigners who fear for their safety when medical staff don't understand their language.

Currently there are more than 530,000 foreign residents in Korea, more than three times the number in 2000. But many Koreans are still inconsiderate of their foreign guests.

__________________
Visit USFK Classifieds, the FREE classifieds in Korea!

There is a certain amount of difficulty for foreigners in Korea. There are phone numbers and advocates you can call now that help. The Korean Government will change, and is attempting to attract rather than deter foreigners. They have little experience with non-Korean speaking tourists. They act much like the US in dealing with foreigners. Signs in foreign languages are few, and often do not give the information clearly. Like the US, they seem to think the foreigner should speak OUR language!

All in all, the Koreans mostly try to help, but without a common language, they often fail. Foreigners here expect Korean Tourist Areas to have someone who speaks their language. Sorry, it just ain't so. Sadly the English taught in Korean College is normally not good enough for a student to survive in the US. They can read and write, often, but cannot pronounce or understand conversation well. These inept students are often hired to work in the tourism industry. It is improving, but the hard -headed all- knowing government tourist bureau has to work much harder at communications. Most problems are due to misunderstandings and the language barrier. People who are in the tourism industry need people skills to survive.

영어가 세계공통어라고는 하지만, 영어가 우리의 공용어는 아닙니다.
물론 관광산업을 위해선 영어가 필수지만, 로마에서는 로마의 법을 따라야 하는 법입니다.
그리고 우리나라 대학교에서는 충분한 영어교육을 배우고 있습니다.
단지 문제점이라면, 실제 외국사람과 접할 기회가 많지 않기때문에 영어회화가 서툴다는것 뿐입니다. 우리나라는 아시아 어떤 나라보다도 많은 영어교육을 하고 있습니다.

I believe that South Korea's protectionism is a really an effect of the negative stereotypes attached to foreign investment. In some countries foreign investment has ravished the domestic economy by driving out those once profitable local business and replacing them with foreign ones, so I understand clearly why Roo Moo-hyun and the SK government are resistant to foreign investment.

However, I believe that SK has in it's a power something that could actually help the rest of world when it comes to protectionism and that is actually opening up trade.

I believe that if South Korea, managed foreign trade properly, and made sure that it benefited the domestic economy that it would be better off than just straight up protectionism.

Reply to Mr. Shsong's Korean reply:
My poor translating ability tells me that Mr. Song agrees that the tourism industry needs English speakers, and that English is not a common language in Korea. I believe he agrees that The Universities have enough English education, but there is not much opportunity to meet native speakers.
I think he believes that Korea teaches more English than other countries in Asia. I must reply that is not true, the Phillipines seems to be the leader. Their people speak English from the lower grades and middle school. I have never met any Philippino who could not have a good conversation in English.
Korean Universities are changing as we speak, and they now understand that they must hire qualified native speakers to teach. Conversation schools will soon be regulated, also, and some less qualified school teachers will find it difficult to get jobs in Korea.

Welcome to Manasia1!!!
Sorry it took us so long to say Hi!
You will enjoy Osan, and Korea. This forum will answer your every need, and we hope to see you soon!
Some of us actually believe what the Army says, That Area II is the assignment of choice in Korea. Osan and Seoul fit in that category.
Bon Voyage!

YES, YOU'RE RIGHT. I agree with you.
YOU WIN !

They are spelled Philippines and Filipino.

Hey Mulligan! You are absolutely right! I seldom encounter someone who reads my gibberish thoroughly enough to correct me!
Welcome to our forum! Guess I have to start using the spellchecker more often in my old age! I have no other excuse. ( I'd like to get spellchecker put back in to our message reply block.)

Please contribute anytime! Let us know when we can assist you, and, if you wish, tell us more about yourself in your personal profile. (I'm guessing you are a scholar, a Filipino, or both!)

I think you should be a Master of here forum.
Even though you dislike me, I'd like to recommend you as a Master.
It is my true heart.