South Korea

(South Korean flag)

What Is South Korea?

● South Korea is a country located in eastern Asia
○ It is the Southern half of the Korean Peninsula
■ “A peninsula is a portion of land nearly surrounded by water
and connected with a larger body by an isthmus”
(Merriam-Webster)
● South Korea inhabits about 45% of the peninsula, which it shares with
bordering country North Korea
○ The two are separated by a demilitarized zone, also known as the
DMZ that is 2.5 miles wide
● The T’aebaek Mountains are a prominent geological feature in the country
that run along the eastern coastline into North Korea
● South Korea has a population of about 51,966,000 people (est. 2019) (Seoul, South Korea)
(Britannica.com, South Korea)
 South Korea History

● The Republic of Korea was founded in 1948 following the removal of

Japanese occupation in 1945
○ The Soviet Union occupied all land north of the 38th parallel
■ Later becomes North Korea
○ The United States claimed all land south of the 38th parallel
■ Later becomes South Korea
● In 1950 the South (U.S. territory) declares independence from the North
(Soviet territory), inciting the Korean war
● In 1953 the Korean War is ended and the DMZ is established between the
countries
(downtown Seoul, South Korea)
● In 1988 South Korea holds its first free parliamentary elections

(bbc.com, South Korea country profile)

 South Korea’s Government
● South Korea is a Democratic Republic
○ Established on August 15th, 1948
● Additionally, South Korea has a presidential system
○ South Korea’s president is Moon Jae-in
● South Korea has an executive, legislative, and judiciary branches
● Underneath the president there is a prime minister and 17
ministers beneath them
● The legislative branch consists of the National Assembly, which
has 300 members
● The judiciary branch consists of supreme courts & tribunals
(partial chart of South Korea’s government)
(worldatlas.com | korea.net | loc.gov)
 Language, Religion, & Currency
● The national language of South Korea is Korean
● There is no official national religion of South Korea, but freedom
of religion is a guaranteed right in the country’s constitution
○ However, popular religions in South Korea are:
■ Buddhism, Daoism, Catholicism, & Shamanism
● The official monetary unit for South Korea is the won (₩)

(South Korean 10,000 Won)

(Religious Breakdown of South Korea, 2015)

(Britannica.com, South Korea | korea.net)
Cultural Variation

Power Distance - 60

Individualism - 18

Masculinity - 39

Uncertainty Avoidance - 85
(Hofstede Insights)
Long Term Orientation - 100

Indulgence - 29
 Power Distance

● Power distance displays the level of equality that exists within a society
○ Additionally, power distance displays cultural attitudes towards apparent
inequality
● South Korea lies somewhat in the middle of the power distance spectrum at 60
○ South Korea has a moderately hierarchical society that justifies inequality
among individuals and idealizes a concentration of power (ex: in forms of
government)
● In an organizational context, South Korean workers rely on instruction from their
employers
(South Korean Parliament)
○ Additionally, ideal employers maintain the totality of power

(Hofstede Insights)
 Individualism vs. Collectivism

● Individualism refers to how much the efforts the individual within the culture are for
themself and intermediate family or towards a collective group
● Collectivism indicates that individuals see themselves as part of a unit, defining
their sense of self as “We”
● South Korea has a score of 18 and is a collectivistic society
○ In South Korea, the collective is centered around the family
■ Children inherit a duty to parents to take care of them and contribute
back into the family
● Respect, caretaking, and continuing family lineage are main
aspects of this responsibility

(Hofstede Insights | asiasociety.com, The Value and Meaning of the Korean Family)
 Masculinity vs. Femininity

● According to Hofstede Insights, masculinity scores (higher scores on the spectrum) within this dimension arbitrarily refer to a
competitive, achievement-driven society.
● Additionally, the site notates that feminine scores (lower scores on the spectrum) indicate that the society’s predominant values are
guided by nurturing and caring for others.
● South Korea has a score of 39, which means that it is a feminine society.
○ The values of nurturing and caring are very in-line with South Korea being a collectivistic culture
■ Additionally, feminine societies deem quality of life as an indicator of success, and standing out amongst others is
not admirable, staying in-line with collectivistic values
● Examples of feminine culture again relate to the family unit being an important nucleus in South Korea
○ The innate responsibility that children incur to take care of those within their family throughout their life are representative of
the country’s feminine culture

(Hofstede Insights)
 Indulgence vs. Restraint

● In this dimension, indulgence refers to maintaining control of impulses and desires

○ More specifically, these two factors are representative of how individuals within the
culture were raised
● If a country is deemed indulgent, it means that they are susceptible to their impulses/desires
● If a country is indicated as restraint, it means that individuals are resistant to their
impulses/desires
○ Restraint countries tend to stray away from leisure activities
○ Restraint countries also tend to be more pessimistic
● South Korea has a score of 29, meaning that they fall on the restraint aspect of the spectrum
● South Koreans have more pessimistic outlooks than others regarding the issues occurring in
the country such as family potentiality, educational challenges, & unemployment

(Hofstede Insights | hani.co.kr)

Long Term Orientation vs. Short Term Orientation

● In this context, having a low score places a country in the short term orientation spectrum, which
indicates that its culture incorporates and centralizes past traditions, and is skeptic towards forward
change/progress that supersedes tradition
● A high score places countries in the long term orientation aspect, which encourages progress that
contributes to the longevity to the country.
○ Long term orientation countries value pragmatism and actions are completed for the future
● South Korea is one of the most long term oriented countries with a score of 100
○ South Koreans reflect financial growth regarding overall market growth in contrast to
quarterly growth/intake
○ Time-oriented traditions such as religion are nonexistent in South Korea, potentially providing
one potential reason as to why the country does not have a national religion

(Hofstede Insights)
 Uncertainty Avoidance

● Where a country ranks in the dimension of uncertainty avoidance indicates to

what degree the culture of the country is acceptant or threatened of the future
○ Higher scores denote that a country is more uncertainty avoidant
○ Lower scores display that a country is less uncertainty avoidant
● South Korea is ranks as one of the highest uncertainty avoidant countries with
a score of 85
○ Countries that are highly uncertainty avoidant have strict structures and
beliefs and are usually monochronic and value hard work
● South Korea’s ranking of high uncertainty avoidance is very in-line with its low
score for indulgence, as both dimensions do not look upon kindly to leisurely
activities

(Hofstede Insights)
 Faux Paus

1. Covering Up Is Important
● Women wearing clothing that shows cleavage is frowned upon
2. Accept / Present Items with Both Hands
3. Remove Your Shoes Before Entering Specific Rooms
● Walking into rooms such as temples & households with shoes on
is seen as disrespectful
4. Wait to Take the First Bite
● In South Korea, it is customary for the eldest to begin eating first
5. Put Chopsticks Over Your Bowl
● Putting chopsticks upright in a bowl resembles funeral incense,
so it is customary to lay them over the bowl

(worldnomads.com | 90daykorean.com, Korean Etiquette)

 1. A
2.
3.
Faux Paus (continued)
A
A
4. A
5. A
6. Use Both Hands For Handshakes
7. Don’t Write a Person’s Name in Red Ink
● There is a superstition/bad luck regarding writing a
person’s name in red ink
8. Don’t Throw Your Toiletries In the Toilet
● There is a bin for specifically disposing toilet paper
9. Don’t Blow Your Nose In Front of Others
● Blowing your nose in public is seen as rude
10. Be Mindful of the Number Four
● Four is regarded as an unlucky number in South
Korea as it sounds similar to death

(worldnomads.com | 90daykorean.com, Korean Etiquette)

 South Korea General Information
● Vaccinations:
○ There are no vaccinations required to travel to South Korea
(travel.state.gov)
● Restrictions/Requirements:
○ For trips that last shorter than 90 days, no tourist visas are required
○ Passports must be valid when traveling (travel.state.gov)
● Best Time to Travel:
○ Spring and fall are advised times as foliage and cherry blossoms can be
seen
○ Summer is very humid in South Korea but is still a plausible travel window
(thereshegoesagain.org)
● Currency Exchange
○ $1 USD = ~1083.87 ₩
 Transportation (Flights)

● Cost
○ ~ $671 - $1,073 Round Trip
● Departure
○ Leave from San Diego
International Airport on
Monday, March 22nd
● Return
○ Arrive to San Diego on
March 29th
● Airlines
○ Air Canada, United, Asiana,
Delta, Korean Air
 Transportation (Buses/Taxis/Other)

● Buses within the cities cost ~ 1,000 - 2,400 ₩

○ Different color line buses take you to varying
distances, henceforth the grand fluctuation of pricing
● Taxis for short rides cost anywhere between 2,800 - 3,000 ₩
for 1.25 miles and increase by 100 ₩ per each additional
eighth of a mile
● Subways exist in cities such as Seoul, in which the pricing is
about ~1,250 ₩
○ Purchasing the card for the subway (T-money card) is
about 2,500 ₩

(travel.usnews.com, Seoul Travel Guide) (train traveling in Seoul)

 Day 1- Flight & Arrival

● Travel from San Diego International Airport to

Incheon International Airport
○ Flight time ~ 17 hours
● Take A’REX (Airport Railroad Express) from Incheon
Airport to downtown Seoul
○ Costs about 9,000 ₩
● Take taxi from downtown Seoul to hotel Shilla Stay
Gwanghwamun
○ Cost is about ~ 68,000 ₩ per night
● Relax and get some rest!

(hotels.com)
 Day 2 - Exploring Seoul
● Travel to Seoul Tower
○ Admission pricing is 11,000 ₩
● Go to Bukchon Hanok Village
● Visit National Museum of Korea
○ Admission to the Permanent Exhibit Hall is free of charge
● Go to Lotte World Tower
○ Viewing is about 27,000 ₩
● See Gyeongbokgung Palace
○ National Palace Museum of Korea & National Folk Museum
both can be toured here
● Estimated Day 2 Costs: ~ 152,000 ₩ (including food, transportation &
hotel)
(planetware.com)
 Day 3 - Exploring Seoul (continued)

● Travel to Seoul Museum of Art

○ Admission is free
● Visit the Blue House (official home of the Korean
President)
○ Assuming a tour has been applied for
ahead of time
● Go to Bongeunsa
● Tour Gwanghwamun Gate
● See Cheonggyecheon
● Return back to the hotel to rest
● Estimated Day 3 Costs: ~119,000 ₩

(planetware.com)
 Day 4 - Exploring Seoul (continued)

● Visit Jingwansa Temple at Bukhansan

National Park

● Go to Itaewon Neighborhood

● Travel to Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

● Venture to Gwangjang Food Market

● See Insadong Neighborhood

● Return to the hotel to rest

● Estimated Day 4 Costs: ~119,000 ₩

(planetware.com)
 Day 5 - Exploring Busan
● Take train from Seoul to Busan
○ Costs about ~36,000 ₩
● See Jagalchi Fish Market
● Travel to Busan Tower
○ Price of admission is 8,000 ₩
● Relax at Cimer Spa
○ Depending on the package, ranges about ~190,000 ₩
● Visit Gamcheon Culture Village
● Travel to Radium Art Center
○ Price of admission is 10,000 ₩
● Take train from Busan to Seoul, return to the hotel
● Estimated Day 5 Costs: ~172,000 ₩
(timeout.com)
 Day 6 - Exploring Busan (continued)

● Take train from Seoul to Busan

○ Costs about ~36,000 ₩
● Travel to Haedong Yonggung Temple
○ Pricey tours with the lowest price being
112,000 ₩
● Visit Haeundae Beach
● Go to Taejongdae
● Eat at Gwangbokdong Food Street
● Travel to Nampodong Market
● Take train from Busan to Seoul, return to the hotel
● Estimated Day 5 Costs: ~266,000 ₩

(timeout.com)
 Day 7 - Flight & Departure
● Check out from Shilla Stay

Gwanghwamun

● Take A’REX (Airport Railroad Express)

from downtown Seoul to Incheon Airport

○ Costs about 9,000 ₩

● Travel from Incheon International Airport

to San Diego International Airport

○ Flight time ~ 17 hour

● Estimated Day 7 Costs: 9,000 ₩

 References

17 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in South Korea | PlanetWare. (n.d.). Planetware.

https://www.planetware.com/south-korea/top-rated-tourist-attractions-in-south-korea-kor-1-4.htm

BBC News. (2018, May 1). South Korea country profile. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific

Constitution and Government. (n.d.). Korea.Net. http://www.korea.net/Government/Constitution-and-Government/Constitution

Country Comparison. (2020, August 12). Hofstede Insights. https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/south-korea/

Herring, F. (2019, June 19). 16 Best Things to do in Busan This Year. Time Out Busan.

https://www.timeout.com/busan/things-to-do/best-things-to-do-in-busan
 References

Korean, D. (2020, September 18). Korean Etiquette: 11 Customs You Need to... 90 Day Korean®. https://www.90daykorean.com/korean-etiquette/

Lew, Y. I. (2020, December 3). South Korea | History, Map, Flag, Capital, Population, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Korea

Majority of S. Koreans are pessimistic about future of their country. (n.d.). Hankyoreh, Inc.

http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/912155.html

National Parliaments: South Korea. (n.d.). Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/law/help/national-parliaments/southkorea.php

Norman, G. (n.d.). The Value and Meaning of the Korean Family. Asia Society. https://asiasociety.org/education/value-and-meaning-korean-family
 References

peninsula. (n.d.). The Merriam-Webster.Com Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peninsula

S. (2020, August 25). 50 South Korea Travel Tips. There She Goes Again. https://thereshegoesagain.org/south-korea-travel-tips/

Sawe, B. E. (2019, March 28). What Type Of Government Does South Korea Have? WorldAtlas.

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-type-of-government-does-south-korea-have.html

Seoul Airports. (n.d.). Hotels.Com. https://www.hotels.com/go/south-korea/seoul-airports

Seoul Transportation. (n.d.). U.S. News. https://travel.usnews.com/Seoul_South_Korea/Getting_Around/

 References

Soles, T. W. (2018, February 26). Etiquette & Faux Pas in South Korea: What Not to Do. World Nomads.

https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/eastern-asia/south-korea/etiquette-tips-and-things-to-avoid-on-your-trip-to-south-korea

South Korea International Travel Information. (n.d.). U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SouthKorea.html