Hi to all... have been living in Korea off and on for four years. Currently have an apartment in Kangnam. Always meant to check this site out and finally decided to try it.
As everyone who has been here a while experiences, you go through several stages of a love hate relationship with Korea. Thankfully for me it has mostly been a love affair. However, right now i am on vacation in Canada licking my wounds from my last beating there (business). Oh well all things pass and i can't wait to return recharged and ready to go. Also miss the Three Alley Pub gatherings a lot.
Cheers
Noh Ki Su
(my Korean name obviously)

Welcome Karth!

What kind of business did you run? Just interested as maybe I can learn from your mistake.

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Hi Mike...i presume you are the official guru of this site. We have been involved in several different forays into Korea, from technology to real estate projects. At this point i would consider us somewhere between knowledgeable and expert on doing business in Korea. It's funny when i first came here my business peers (mostly from the USA) said "don't go there" " Korea is the hardest place in the world to do business" My response was basically "yeah right" as we were convinced that if we worked hard enough and played by the rules we would be successful. Well after four years i have to admit they were right and i was wrong ( i hate that) Doing business in Korea for a foreigner is next to impossible. For many reasons too numerous to mention right now. Because i love the country and the people i will stay as long as i can but our investments here will be scaled back significantly until such time as Korea decides to become a first world country in it's thinking towards how business and government operates. No sour grapes here it's just that currently Koreans likes the way things operate here and don't want to make any accomodations for foreign investment. I fully understand and appreciate that. I just wish the government would be upfront about it and not try and foist on the world all this Hub nonsense. It has been a very expensive education believe me.........Cheers

Welcome to the site! Unfortunatly, things will only get worse as the US pulls out and Korea continues to shut doors. Hopefully they will go the way of the Philippines and open up after a few years. Good luck with everything and let me know if you need anything!
Joe

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Joeninpo

The tyrant custom, most grave Senators,
Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war
My thrice-driven bed of down

Thanks joeninpo: I agree, i think things are going to get very tough in Kore over the next few years. It truly has earned it's nickname as the Hermit Kingdom. I have done a lot of work with the military in regards to consolodating the bases at Pyongtaek and i have gone from 50/50 two years ago to 80/20 (against) presently, regarding whether it will ever happen at all. I think right now the US military is leaning owards increasing their presence in Japan, Guam and the Philipines and letting Korea stew in it's own mess for a while. It's difficult having a strategic military partner that likes the enemy better than they like you. The strange and bizzare world of Korean politics.
As well in my travels around the country and in talking to other expats doping business here i notice that most or all are reducing or entirely eliminating their exposure in Korea. Doesn't bode well for the next few years.
On that cheery note....off for the evening.

Karth,

I appreciate your wisdom. I have a feeling you will eventually be successful as it sounds like you have learned a lot from your Korea business experience and can use that in the future. I hope to see you around more often and i look forward to chatting sometime.

Mike

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Visit USFK Classifieds, the FREE classifieds in Korea!

Noh Ki Su- no tell uh? But you told! So I'm glad you did. I believe honesty is the best policy, also!

Please come by often, and help us retain our sanity, as we moderate the best forum in the Far East! Some of our members are involved in business here, and some are wannabes. Your experiences can only add to our knowledge! Thanks, and Welcome, Eh?

Which one's the enemy? One of those 3 countries? I don't think we love N. Korea.