South Korea and Germany Business and Political relationship

Seoul - December 3, 2012

A Journey to Germany
Team 7
Nabil Ishak • Dana Tazhibayeva • Cigdem Budev • Chen Li • Zheng Wei • Li Siying

Inside this issue
1.  Destination Profiles:
Germany and South Korea
2.  Strategic Relationships
3.  International Manners and
Compatibility
4.  Cultural Impressions
5.  Analysis
6.  Conclusion

1
Destination Profiles: Germany and South Korea
• Geography

• Population

• Economy

• Politics

• Ethnicity and Language

• Religions

• Stereotypes

1
Geography

a

Germany

South Korea

Total area (sq. miles): 357,022 sq km [63]
- Land: 348,672 sq km
- Water: 8,350 sq km
Capital city: Berlin
Natural hazards: flooding
Climate: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy,
wet winters and
summers; occasional
warm mountain wind

Total area (sq. miles): 99, 720 sq km [109]
- Land: 96,920 sq km
- Water: 2,800 sq km
Capital city: Seoul
Natural hazards: occasional typhoons, lowlevel seismic activity (Southwest)
Climate: temperate,
rainfall heavier in
summer than winter

A worthwhile note:
strategic location on
North European Plain
and along the
entrance to Baltic Sea

A worthwhile note:
strategic location on
Korea Strait

Sources: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gm.html • https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ks.html

1
Geography - “Historical landscapes”

Germany
1949

1871

The founding of
the current state Federal Republic of
Germany

The founding of
the nation state German Empire
A firm base for
sole control of
the peninsula
by Japan

1910

-  West Germany
-  East Germany

The peninsula
was divided
along the 38th
parallel by US
& Soviet Union

1945

Sources: http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Germany.html#b

The fratricidal
Korean War

a

Regional identities are of great
significance for many Germans,
though its evident that they are often
manipulated for political &
commercial purposes as well

1990

The unification of
East & West
Germany
A continuing
series of
inter-Korea
talks

1950 1953 1971

Today’s
federal
states

South
Korea

Nevertheless, despite a prolonged division, a civil war, & the
differences in ways of life, all Koreans share a strong common
belief that they are the same brethren (tong’jok & min’jok)

1
Population

b

Germany

South Korea

Total: 81,305,856 (July 2012 est.) [16]
Age structure: median age of 45.3 years
- 0-14 years: 13.2% (male > female)
- 65 years & over: 20.7% (male < female)
Population density: 611 (236)
Population growth rate: -0.2%
Birth rate: 8.33/1,000
Death rate: 11.04/1,000
Urbanization:
- Urban population: 74%
- Rate: 0%
Life expectancy:
80.19 years [28]
Literacy: 99%

Total: 48,860,500 (July 2012 est.) [25]
Age structure: median age of 39 years
- 15-64 years: 73.% (male > female)
- 65 years & over: 11.9% (male < female)
Population density: 491/km2
Population growth rate: 0.204%
Birth rate: 8.42/1,000
Death rate: 6.38/1,000
Urbanization:
- Urban population: 83%
- Rate: 0.6%
Life expectancy:
79.3 years [41]
Literacy: 97.9%

Sources: Adams, S., Ganeri, A., & Kay, A. (2010). Geography of the World. New York, US: Dorling Kindersley Publishing • https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ks.html

1
Economy

c

Germany

South Korea

The 5th largest economy in the world (PPP)
GDP: (2011 est.)
- PPP: $3.139 trillion
- Real growth rate: 3.1%
- Per capita: $38,400
Unemployment rate: 6% [65]
Inflation rate: 2.3% [33]
Industrial production growth rate: 8% [26]

Among the world’s 20 largest economies
GDP: (2011 est.)
- PPP: $1.571 trillion
- Real growth rate: 3.6%
- Per capita: $32,100
Unemployment rate: 3.4% [31]
Inflation rate: 4% [103]
Industrial production growth rate: 3.8% [84]

Sources: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gm.html • https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ks.html

1
Economy - Products, Exports, & Imports c
Germany

South Korea

•  Agriculture: potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit
•  Natural resources: coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore,
copper
•  Industries: iron, steel, cement, chemicals, machinery,
vehicles, electronics, shipbuilding

•  Agriculture: rice, vegetables, barley, root crops, fruit
•  Natural resources: coal, tungsten, graphite,
molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential
•  Industries: electronics, telecommunications, automobile,
chemicals, shipbuilding, steel

•  Total: $1.408 trillion (2011 est.) [4]
•  Commodities: motor vehicles, machinery, chemicals,
electronics, pharmaceuticals, metals, foodstuffs, textiles,
rubber & plastic products

•  Total: $556.5 billion (2011 est.) [7]
•  Commodities: semiconductors, wireless
telecommunications, motor vehicles, computers, steel,
ships, petrochemicals

•  Total: $1.198 trillion (2011 est.) [4]
•  Commodities: machinery, data processing equipment,
vehicles, chemicals, oil & gas, metals, pharmaceuticals,
foodstuffs, agricultural products

•  Total: $524.4 billion (2011 est.) [9]
•  Commodities: machinery, electronics & electronic
equipment, oil, steel, transport equipment, organic
chemicals, plastics

Sources: Phillips, Dee. (2006). Just the Facts - World Atlas, 2nd ed., US: School Specialty Publishing • https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gm.html

1
Politics

d

Germany

South Korea

Background:
- Government type:
Federal Republic
- Independence:
18 January 1871
- Chief of state:
President J. Gauck
- Head of government: Chancellor A. Merkel
Official symbols:
- The black, red, and gold flag
(the democratic movement)
- The eagle
Military activity: German men (18 years old)
are required to serve for 10-12 months in the
armed forces.

Background:
- Government type:
Republic
- Independence:
15 August 1945
- Chief of state: President Lee Myung-bak
- Head of government: PM Kim Hwang-sik
Official symbols:
- The national flag, T’aegukki (“Supreme
Ultimate”)  East Asian cosmology
- The national anthem, Aegukka, conjures a
sense of the national identity
Military activity: the armed forces have grown
to be the largest & most influential government
organization.

Sources: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gm.html • https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ks.html • http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Germany.html#b

1
Politics - Worth noting

d

Germany

South Korea

Symbolism
-  Given the contentious character of political
symbols, many Germans seem to identify
more closely with typical landscapes.
-  Features of the natural environment often
become politicized.
-  Alternatively, corporate products and
consumer goods also serve as national
symbols (a series of German automobiles,
such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, & Porsche).

Symbolism: the national anthem, Aegukka
The phrase han p’it-chul (one bloodline) often is
used by Koreans at home & abroad  to
symbolize their shared identity as the members
of a homogeneous nation.
Conflict
- The Korean Peninsula is the only remaining
part of the world where a cold war remnant
of ideological conflict & tension exists.
- Recently, issues concerning Dokdo Island.

Sources: http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Germany.html#b • http://www.everyculture.com/East-Southeast-Asia/Korean-Sociopolitical-Organization.html

1
Ethnicity and Language

e

Germany

South Korea

Ethnicities: German 91.5%; Turkish 2.4%;
and others 6.1%
Koreans in Germany: 31,248 individuals
Official language: German
Other spoken languages: Polish, Turkish,
Serbo-Croation, Greek, Italian, Portuguese,
Spanish, Mongolian, and Vietnamese.
Gender roles and statuses:
- Division of labor by gender: women are
represented all walks of life (teachers,
nurses, office workers, retail clerks, etc.)
- The relative status of women & men: the
Basic Law of Germany states that men &
women have equal rights under the law.

South Korea is an ethnically homogeneous
nation
Ethnicities: homogeneous (except for about
20,000 Chinese, concentrated mainly in Seoul)
Languages: Korean, English (widely taught in
junior high and high schools)
Gender relations:
- Division of labor by gender: the existence of
male preference in many jobs & occupational
ranks; the gender gap is narrowing (highly
educated women in the cities); domestic work
has continued to be the work of women.
 women’s burden has become doubly
onerous

Sources: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gm.html • https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ks.html • http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Germany.html#b

1
Ethnicity and Language - Intriguing issues e
Germany

South Korea

Ethnic Relations - a land of immigration
- Defining citizenship according to the
principle of jus sanguinis (law of blood).
-  Migrant workers were called Gastarbeiter
(literally, guest workers), many stayed in
Germany and established families 
forming communities, which are to varying
degrees assimilated to German lifestyles.
-  Immigrant’s families regard themselves as
German. Yet, many Germans view them as
Ausländer, or ‘foreigners’.
Beginning in the year 2000,
new laws granted restricted
rights of dual citizenship to
children of ‘foreign’ descent.

Some intriguing issues about Korean Society:
- Changing Korean Family: Korean values &
attitudes are changing in general, but the
society is still dominated by very conservative
& traditional family values (Eun 2007).
- Korea is still a nation where patriarchal
values dominate even though more & more
women are active in every field of society
(SetByol 2007).
- “Republic of yonjul (connections)”

Sources: http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Germany.html#b

1
Religions
Germany

f
South Korea

Germany was the homeland of the Protestant
Reformation

- Many Germans have no religious affiliation
-  Migratory workers from North Africa &
western Asia established Islamic communities

- Koreans have been inclusive rather than
exclusive in their religious beliefs, and the
majority of them have opted for expressing
no religious preference
- Some clergymen & priests in Christian
churches have become outspoken advocators
of human rights, critics of the government, &
sympathizers with the union movement

Sources: http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Germany.html#b • http://www.everyculture.com/East-Southeast-Asia/Korean-Religion-and-Expressive-Culture.html

1
Stereotypes

g

Germany

South Korea

- Always on time
- Individualist
- Are drinking beer every day
- Workaholics

-  All like kimchi
-  All know Tae Kwon Do
-  They eat dogs
-  Work too much
Koreans see themselves as
dedicated members of the workplace.
-  Are terrible drivers;
judged by North American standards
-  Are ‘rude;’
“If you apologized to everyone you bumped
into or couldn’t hold the door for, you’d never
get to the office before noon.”

Sources: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/german-cuisine-traditional-foods.html • http://www.teachingkimchi.com/712/top-10-misconceptions-of-koreans/

2
Strategic Relationships
• Trade

• Immigrations

• Cultural Organizations

• Education

• Arts

2
Trade - Economic key facts 2011/2012 a
Trade Volume with Korea (in Billion USD)

Sources: http://korea.ahk.de/fileadmin/ahk_korea/Dokumente/Attachments/Korea_2012__July__English.pdf

2
Korea’s Trading Partners 2011

Germany is
Korea’s key
European trade
partner


2
Korea’s Import Sources 2011


Korea’s Export Destinations 2011

2
European FDI in Korea (Shares of total EU FDI 1962-2010)

South Korea is
one of
Germany’s most
vital commercial
partners in East
Asia (after
China & Japan)


2
Korean FDI Abroad (Korean FDI 1980 – March 2011 [%])

Germany ranks
10th among
the recipients
of Korean FDI


2
Trade - Korean-German Economic Relations
Exports and Imports between Germany and Korea (in Billion USD)


a

2

a

Korean Imports of German Products 2011 (%)

Cooperation between German and Korean companies is particularly strong in the
areas of medical technology, production engineering, & microsystems technology.

2
Product Categories (in Billion USD)


a

2

a

FDI Germany - Korea (in million USD/change in %)

Around 500 German companies with well over 100,000 employees are located in Korea
 In September 2008, Bosch & Samsung established the SB LiMotive Co Ltd.

2
Korean FDI in Germany by industry
Korean FDI 1980-March 2011 in 1.000 USD


a

2

a

The EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement
- Reducing & eliminating tariffs and other trade barriers in manufactured goods, agricultural
products, and services
- Covering such trade-related activities as government procurement, intellectual property
rights, labor rights, and environmental issues
- The greatest economic impact of the KOREU FTA would be on specific sectors in each
economy, especially (i) in the areas of retail and wholesale trade, transportation services,
financial services, and business services in EU, and (ii) South Korean manufacturers of cars,
ships, wireless telecommunications devices, chemical products, and imaging equipment would
be expected to increase their exports to the EU market.
RECENT NEWS
Germany Trade & Invest Hosts Events in South Korea and Japan
- Gamescom was held on September 2012 in Seoul
- “South Korea is absolutely number one, especially in the online
gaming field,” said P. Alltschekow, director.
- Promising industry  South Korean gaming companies OnNet
& Azubu have already established a presence in Germany.
Sources: http://www.bdi.eu/bdi_english/604_838.htm • http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R41534.pdf

2
Cultural Organizations
Goethe-Institut brings German culture to Korea
- Goethe-Institut is world-renowned for its exceptional collection of German literature, there
are 136 institutes around the world.
- Offering information and events that are related to German culture, society & politics:
1. Systemic language programs: German language programs
2. German culture sources: audio & visual materials about Germany (library)
3. German culture performances: art exhibitions

Sources: http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Society/view?articleId=86307

b

2
Cultural Organizations

b

Korean Cultural Center in Germany
- The cultural center is a meeting place for cultural education. It will cater for those interested in
Korea of all stripes, as well as Koreans living in Germany and has a library, computer workstations, a cinema room, seminar, exhibition, & event spaces.
- Website: http://www.kulturkorea.org/de/startseite.html
- Organizing and supporting Korean-related events in the fields of
culture, sports, and tourism

Sources: http://www.kulturkorea.org/de/ueber-uns/wer-wir-sind-und-was-wir-tun.html • http://www.koreabrand.net/en/know/know_view.do?CATE_CD=0002&SEQ=2650

2
Arts

c

“Korea Rediscovered! Treasures from German Museums”
- A two-year touring exhibition that is now under way, by 10 German museums
- Term-period: March 25, 2012 – February 17, 2013 (in 4 German cities)
- The 116 exhibits include artifacts from the Three Kingdoms period:
1. “Water-Moon Avalokitesvara” - the prominent tradition of Goryeo Dynasty Buddhist painting
2. Genre paintings by Kim Jun-geun (style
name Gisan) of the late Joseon period
3. Joseon white porcelain vessels
- Shedding renewed light on Korean culture
that traces back thousands of years  an
essential step forward for the common future
of Korea & Germany

Sources: http://www.koreafocus.or.kr/design2/layout/content_print.asp?group_id=103555

2
Arts

c

Transfer Korea-NRW 2011/12/13
- It is the latest edition of a multi-year international art & artist exchange, set up in 1990
- In 2011-13, it links the North Rhein-Westphalia region of Germany with South Korea in an
intensive programs of artists exchanges, exhibitions, & dialogue.
- Pointing out cultural contrasts & correspondences, thereby stimulating an intercultural dialogue
- During 2012, Korean artists will be in Bonn, Düsseldorf & Hagen from mid-August to midOctober, the German artists will be the guests of Seoul from mid-October to mid-December
- Independent yet interlinked exhibitions will be held in the partner institutions from October
2013 to the start of 2014 in Korea & NRW, featuring works by the transfered artists.

Sources: http://www.transfer-korea-nrw.com/transfer-project-links-germanys-nrw-region-and-korea/

2
Immigrations

d

Koreans in Germany
- Koreans in Germany numbered 31,248 individuals (South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
& Trade, 2009)  the second-largest Korean diaspora community in Western Europe, behind
the rapidly-growing community of Koreans in UK
- The biggest community of Koreans are situated in the Frankfurt-Rhine Main Area (5300
residents). This area also contains German and European headquarters of large Korean
companies such as Kia Motors, Hyundai, Samsung Electronics, LG International, & SK Network.
- Historically, in 1960s, West Germany invited nurses and miners from South Korea to come as
Gastarbeiter  driven not just by economic
necessity, but also by desire to demonstrate
support for a country that, like Germany,
had been divided by ideology.
- Some Koreans settled in Germany have begun
returning to South Korea after retirement,
bringing German spouses with them  this
return migration has resulted in the creation of
a “German Village” in South Gyeongsang’s
Namhae Country.
Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koreans_in_Germany

2
Immigrations

d

Germans in South Korea
- The bilateral Working Holiday program gives an opportunity for young people between
18-30 to have a vacation up to 12 months - established by South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Trade. Employment in this program: range froms hotels & catering to farm work. - This bilateral agreement is reciprocal in its nature in order to provide Koreans the same
opportunities to stay in Germany with unlimited annual quota.
- “German Village” - an issue:
The Ulmers live a good life in South Korea, a good German life, but not everything is perfect.
The neighborhood disputes, for example, are the same, the quarrels about cleanliness, law and
order. Meanwhile, some want to have a German enclave on the South Korean coast, with
German cultural values. Others reject such plans. "We cannot turn this into a German province,"
Engelfried said.
- Second German Village  the city of Suncheon in
the South Jeolla province is planning to build a 2nd
German Village in Korea beginning 2013.
- The context of villages: to invite back & provide
subsidies for Korean miners & nurses who were sent
by the government in return for financial aid (1960s).
Sources: http://goo.gl/91bf6 • http://www.whic.kr/en/WorkingHoliday/Program/ * http://travel.cnn.com/seoul/visit/korea-build-another-german-village-023609

2
Education
Internship programs & International S&T Cooperation
- Two programs of the Korean Ministry of Education (MEST) increase
the demand for internships in Germany:
1. “Green Growth” Program (renewable energies)
2. “University Program” of Han-yang University for students of the
non-technical area
With an exclusive German partner for the placement of Korean
interns, the agency “Der Praktikant” (Hamburg)
- International S&T Cooperation  geared towards promoting the
transfer of foreign technologies & obtaining the technical know-how
& technical training to operate the technologies it acquired.
- Korea-Germany S&T Cooperation Agreement was concluded in
1996. The private sector is the main actor in bilateral relations, the
two countries established the Korea-Germany Non-governmental
Committee on Science & Technology, and also Korea-Germany
Committee on Cooperation
in Education, Research &
Technology.
Sources: http://www.korea-dkw.de/student-exchange.html • http://goo.gl/NvPVp

e

2
Education

e

Korean-German Academic Links Agreement (5 October 2007)
-  The Korean Council for University Education (KCUE) and the German Rectors’ Conference –
Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (HRK) united in the aim of promoting academic links between
Korean and German higher education institutions, and in the awareness that a furthering of
cooperation in the area of higher education is in the interest of both sides.
-  Fields of cooperations: cooperation is to be sought especially
1. in the exchange undergraduate and graduate students
2. in the fostering and implementing of research projects
3. cooperation in the curricular design and implementation of programs of study
4. through participation in symposia and other academic events
5. in establishing contacts in research and teaching
6. in the exchange of information on the accreditation system and its results

Sources: http://www.hrk.de/fileadmin/redaktion/hrk/02-Dokumente/02-07-Internationales/02-07-05-Mobilitaet-und-Anerkennung/KOREA_Final_version_Agreement_Appendix.pdf

3

International Manners and Compatibility,
Interpersonal Etiquette
• Individualism vs. Collectivism

• Dining Etiquette

• Relationships

• Gift Giving

• Body Language

3
Individualim vs. Collectivism

a

Germany

South Korea

- In Germany people stress on personal
achievements and individual rights. Germans
expect from each other to fulfill their own
needs.
-  Small families with a focus on the parentchildren relationship rather than aunts and
uncles are most common.
- Group work is important, but everybody has
the right of his/her own opinion an is
expected to reflect those.
- Communication is among the most direct in
the world following the idea to be honest,
even if it hurts.

- In Korea people stress on member of group
concept. Loyalty supreme, and over-rides
most other societal rules and regulations.
- Big families with a focus on the extended
family, or extended relationships.
- The society fosters strong relationships
where everyone takes responsibility for
fellow members of their group.
- Communication is indirect, idea is to leave it
up to the listener to fill
in the blanks and make
out the meaning by
correctly reading
the contextual clues.

Sources: http://geert-hofstede.com/germany.html

3
Relationships

b

Germany

South Korea

-  One does not need a personal relationship in
order to do business
-  Contracts are strictly followed.
-  Direct to the point of straightforwardness.
-  Display great deference to people in
authority.
- Take punctuality seriously.

- Personal relationships are critical for
business success.
- Contracts are flexible, changes can be
made.
- Do not like to say “no” directly in
accordance to preserve harmony under all
circumstances.
- Business is hierarchical  decision-making
is held at the top
of the company.
- Punctuality is
very important.

Sources: http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/ce_de.htm * http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/ce_kr.htm

3
Body Language

c

Germany

South Korea

- Germans may appear reserved and
unfriendly until you get to know them better.
- Never put your hands in your pockets when
talking with someone.
- “Thumbs up” gesture means “one” or is a sign
of appreciation or agreement.
- Making hands into two fists, thumbs tucked
inside the other fingers and making pounding
motion lightly on a surface expresses “good
luck.”

- Do not cross your legs or stretch your legs
out straight in front of you. Keep your feet
on the floor, never on a desk or chair.
- Always pass and receive objects with your
right hand (supported by the left hand at
the wrist or forearm) or with two hands.
- To beckon someone, extend your arm, palm
down, and move your
fingers in a scratching
motion.

Sources: http://www.ediplomat.com/

3
Body Language - Eye contcat
Germany
Maintain eye contact!


South Korea
Avoid eye contact!

c

3
Body Language - “OK” sign
Germany

Rude
Considered as an insult

Sources: http://www.languagetrainers.co.uk/blog/2007/09/24/top-10-hand-gestures/

c

South Korea

‘Absolutely fine’

3
Body Language - Pointing with index finger
Germany

South Korea

Considered rude in both countries

c

3
Dining Etiquette

d

Germany

South Korea

- Spouses are generally not included in
business dinners
- Arrive on time
- Sharing a table, but not a dinner
- Use knife and forks for the meal
- Germans usually leave a bit more if they
have received satisfactory service
- The person who invites pays the bill for
everyone & only water is free
- If you are invited to a German’s house, bring
a gift such as chocolates or flowers
- Don’t remove their shoes
- Send a handwritten thank you note the
following day to thank your hostess for her
hospitality.

- Business entertaining is reserved for the
parties directly involved in the negotiations
- Sharing a dinner is vital to building
friendships that foster trust
- Use chopsticks and spoon for the meal
- Water along with a lot of side dishes
called 'pan chan’ are free of charge.
- Do not pour your own drink!
- The person who invites pays the bill for
everyone & tipping is not common here
- If you are invited to a Korean’s house,
bring a small gift & arrive on time
- It is important to remove your shoes when
entering a home, traditional restaurant with
floor seating


3
Dining Etiquette - German Food Culture d
Germany is renowned for its heavy, substantial regional food

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

A good, traditional breakfast - The only warm meal of the
day
includes bread, toast, and/or
rolls, marmalade, honey, eggs, - Pork and beef are the main
varieties of meat consumed in
cold meats, such as ham and
Germany, with pork being
salami, various cheeses, all
washed down with a strong cup the most popular
- Germans have always liked
or pot of tea or coffee.
their side dishes. Noodles,
potatoes and dumplings

Traditionally, the German
dinner – called “Abendbrot”,
meaning "evening bread",
consists of a selection of whole
grain bread, deli meats and
sausages, cheese and a cold or
warm drink

Germany

Sources: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/german-cuisine-traditional-foods.html • http://www.research-in-germany.de/discover-germany/26412/german-food-and-drink.html

3
Dining Etiquette - German Food Culture d

Germany

Bread & pastries

Beer

German bread is famous all over the world.

German beer is famous throughout the world.
The famous “Purity Law” of 1516 has been
recognized by the European Parliament,
through which the German recipe is
protected as a “traditional German
foodstuff”.

Sources: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/german-cuisine-traditional-foods.html

3
Dining Etiquette - Korean Food Culture d
Korean food is famous with the
many side dishes “pan-chans”

Rice is fundamental to Korean
food

Sources: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/1051_Food.jsp

South Korea

3
Dining Etiquette - Korean Food Culture d
The typical traditional Korean
beverages of Sikhye (rice
punch) and Sujeonggwa
(cinnamon punch with dried
persimmon) are healthy drinks

Soju is the best known Korean
liquor. It is distilled, vodka-like,
rice liquor
Sources: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/1051_Food.jsp

South Korea

3
Gift Giving - Do’s & Don’ts in Germany e

Do’s in Germany


3
Gift Giving - Do’s & Don’ts in Germany e

Don’ts in Germany
They symbolize romantic
intentions
Carnations symbolize
mourning
Lilies are used at
funerals

Giving a German wines is
viewed as the host will not
serve a good quality wine

3
Gift Giving - Do’s & Don’ts in South Korea

e

Do’s in South Korea
Small gift, cakes, cookies,
flowers, fruits.

Offer and receive a gift
with both hands
Sources: Executive Report; Korean Consulting & Translation Service, Inc.

3
Gift Giving - Do’s & Don’ts in South Korea

e

Don’ts in South Korea
Expensive gifts makes
feel obligated

Gifts with red
writing denotes
death
Sources: Executive Report; Korean Consulting & Translation Service, Inc.

Knives or scissors
signify ‘cutting off’
a relationship

3
Gift Giving - Opening the gifts
Germany

South Korea

Gifts are usually opened
when received
Sources: http://business.uni.edu/web/index.cfm • Sources: Executive Report; Korean Consulting & Translation Service, Inc.

Gifts are usually not
opened when received

e

4
Cultural Impressions
“Never call Germans by their first names until they tell you that you can.
Use formal titles where there is one (for example, Dr., if that person has
earned a doctorate).”
- Paul Allaer, Partner, Thompson, Hine & Flory Law Firm

4
Interview video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seQ8-bTUpO8&feature=youtu.be

Min Ji Hong
-  Lives in Seoul, South Korea
-  22 years old
-  Business student at Kyung Hee University
-  Semester abroad in 2012 at University of
Bremen, Germany
Evaluation:
- Have had knowledge about Germany
- Negative stereotypes towards Germans
-  Willing to adapt to the new culture
- Troubled by individualism value of
Germans - felt lonely sometimes
- Her viewpoint about Germans has changed
Video made by Group 7

4
Interview video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seQ8-bTUpO8&feature=youtu.be

Dennis Rosenstock
-  Lives in Bremen, Germany
-  29 years old
-  Business student at University of Bremen
-  Semester abroad in 2012 at Kyung Hee
University, South Korea
Evaluation:
- Had less knowledge about Korea
- Thus, no stereotypes
- Cultural shock:
Individualism vs. Collectivism

Video made by Group 7

5
Analysis: Germany and South Korea
• Similarities and Differences
• Pro’s and Con’s

5
Analysis - Similarities and Differences
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Respect towards authority
Strictly following the rules
Punctuality is emphasized
Don’t point with the index finger
Spouses are not included for
business dinners
Drinking culture is common
Workaholics
S&T (Scientific & Technological)
development is the main focus
Long art history
Historical landscapes

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Individualism vs. Collectivism
Personal relationships treatment
Communication style
The view upon contracts
Body language, gesture
differences
•  People’s believes

a

5
Analysis - Pro’s and Con’s

•  FTA’s benefits
•  Rapidly growing
exchanges between
nations in the areas of
education, trade, culture,
science, and technology
•  Development from the
gentle approach

•  It is ‘hard’ to survive for
international companies
in Korea
•  Aging society
•  Increasingly fierce
competition within Asian
region

b

6
Conclusion
If you treat
people right,
they will treat
you right – at
least 90 percent
of the time.
Franklin D.
Roosevelt

 

 

 

Because of willingness in expanding their
marketplace, business people are tending to
understand other cultures;
Although South Koreans and Germans are
different in their believes, such as collectivism
and individualism in its nature, they develop
close and beneficial relationships prominently;
Openness to others’ viewpoints and willingness
to understand others literally help both parties
enlarging their opportunities.

Seoul - December 3, 2012

End
Team 7
Nabil Ishak • Dana Tazhibayeva • Cigdem Budev • Chen Li • Zheng Wei • Li Siying

South Korea and Germany Business and Political relationship

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