STEP 4Flight to Korea & OrientationThis is the final stage before flying to Korea. Please read this guide carefully to ensure you are fully prepared and that you take only what you need and do not leave anything important behind.

E2 Visa and Flight TicketThe guide TK03.pdf has provided you with all the information you will need to get your E2 VISA inserted into your passport. Please ensure you get your passport back in time, especially if you are

going to Korea as part of one of the major bi-annual intakes as the embassy has to process hundreds of applications at that time. Please ensure your ticket is in order and that you are flying on the correct date (phone or e-mail YunOck to confirm your flight date).

You need to book a ticket to Incheon International Airport (ICN). You can purchase your ticket online if you have a credit card at one of these web-sites (click on the logos).

If you do not have a credit card you may use one belonging a friend or family member however please ensure that the owner of the card is present with their credit card and their ID when you check-in at the airport. Alternatively get a price from one of the web-sites, print it out, then present this to a travel agent like Flight Centre that offers to match a competitors prices which will enable you to use cash or a debit card.

Remember to purchase a one-way ticket to Seoul, South Korea. A 12 month return ticket will expire before you have completed your contract and you will forfeit the return leg of the ticket. As you have a 12 month work visa in your passport you will be permitted to board the aircraft and enter South Korea unhindered with a one way ticket.

Documents You Need To Take With YouIt is very important that you take the following original documents with you when you fly. These documents are needed to confirm your contract, salary level and tax exemption status.

Degree Certificate/s - You might be asked to present your original degree/s but are not expected to hand them over. If you have just graduated and don’t yet have your degree certificate you need to present either a Provisional Degree Certificate or an original letter from your university confirming that you have a degree and stating the date when your degree certificate will be available to you.

Final Transcript - If you have just graduated and have not yet submitted a full and final academic record/transcript of your degree then you do need to take a sealed transcript with you. It is a good idea to always keep 4-6 sealed transcripts for future job applications as these do not expire and are difficult to arrange from overseas.

Teachers Certificate - If you have a Teachers Certificate (SACE) then you need to take it along as you might be asked to present it but are not expected to hand it over.

TEFL/TESOL/CELTA - You might be asked to show the original certificate for the 100 hour course you have completed to confirm your appointment level. You are not expected to hand over the certificate.

Letter ConfirmingTeaching Experience - If you have only submitted scanned copies of letter confirming your previous teaching career then you need to take the original letter in case it is requested.

Tax Clearance Certificate - When asked for a “Residence Certificate” you need to submit your Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) from SARS. The South African government does not produce a Residence Certificate and the TCC serves to confirm that you are a registered tax payer in South Africa. This document has to be handed over to be filed by your school in order for you to be exempted from income tax in Korea.

Tax Exemption Guide (Click to download)

LuggagePlease confirm your luggage allowance with your airline. In most cases you are permitted 30kg of check-in luggage but this is often not the case on domestic flights within South Africa where you might have to pay a fee at check-in for luggage over 20kg. In addition to your check-in luggage you are typically allowed to carry a small 7kg bag into the cabin with you. Please note that on international flights this bag may not contain any bottles, tubes or containers that exceed 100ml in capacity regardless if they are full or half empty.

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Step-by-Step: Flight to Korea and Orientation - Page 2 of 5

ClothingKorea’s seasons are opposite to South Africa, they have winter in December and unlike our summers which are of similar temperatures Korean winters are very cold. So if you are flying any time between November and March be sure to pack warm winter clothing. You won’t need your summer clothing until May or June so these can be left behind for your family to ship to you later should you require them.

The dress code at school is smart casual. It is prudent to arrive at school for your first day dressed really smartly and thereafter take your cue from your colleagues on the staff as to what is accepted as the dress code for your school.

Smart Casual - MenShirt with a collar (both short and long sleeve are OK) avoid T-shirts and golf shirts unless you find other staff members wearing these items. Slacks, chinos or grey flannels are preferable. Avoid jeans and shorts unless you find your colleagues wearing these items. Some middle & high schools (most typically in the larger cities) prefer male staff members to wear a tie, so take one tie just in case you find you need it. Wear closed shoes. Sandals and sneakers are not appropriate.

Smart Casual - WomenA sensible blouse or top that doesn’t bare your shoulders or décolleté are the norm. Korean woman’s fashion tends to cover up the top in a sensible blouse so T-shirts or golf shirts are not advisable. You can wear mid-knee length or longer skirts, slacks or pant-suits. Jewelry is permitted and you are welcome to wear your hair loose so long as it doesn’t distract you.

Footwear - Men & WomenAt most schools in Korea you will find you keep a pair of “indoor shoes” at school that are worn inside so as to prevent dust and dirt being traipsed into the building from outside. As the pupils are usually responsible for keeping the school clean your adherence to this practice will be highly appreciated by your students! So on your first day be sure to arrive with your “school shoes” in your tog bag. At the main entrance your indoor shoes will be assigned a spot where you can find them every day. These shoes should be closed shoes, open sandals or flip-flops are not acceptable. You are urged to look at investing in a comfortable pair of well designed shoes (such as GreenCross) as you will spend just over 1,000 hours standing in class in these shoes during your 12 month contract!

Bank Accounts in South AfricaKeeping your South African bank account open is useful for paying bills or servicing loans and stop orders that you already have in place. It is prudent to visit your branch before you fly to do the following:

Internet Banking: You are able to internet bank from Korea so consider setting up this facility. It is important to set up all the beneficiaries you envisage paying before you depart as most bank websites need you to confirm new beneficiaries by way of a One Time Pin sent to your South African cellphone by sms. You are not able to get those sms’ in Korea. So unless your bank can e-mail the PIN to you it is best to set up your beneficiaries before you fly.

International Transfers: If you intend sending money home from South Korea the most common option is International Transfer. In order to do this it is important you have the SWIFT code of your home branch in South Africa. This is a code made up of 9 letters of the alphabet that uniquely identifies your home branch.

Many South African banks are reluctant to deposit money from abroad into an account until they have received a go-head from the account holder to process the deposit at the prevailing exchange rate (your international transfer typically arrives in SA in US$). So you need to either give your branch written permission to automatically go ahead or make an arrangement whereby they can request your permission via e-mail each time you make a transfer.

ATM Transfers: An option to International Wire Transfers is to open a second savings account in Korea with an ATM card that can be used overseas. The ATM card is sent back to a trusted person in South Africa who then makes ATM withdrawals on your behalf. This is simpler, instant and can reduce bank charges.

Taking Survival MoneyEPIK advises new teachers arrive at orientation with US$1,000 to carry them over to their first paycheck. We advise you take US$300 in cash with the balance either in the form of a Rennies Travel Card or on your ATM bank card. If you decide to use your South African ATM card please check with your bank that you can make withdrawals in South Korea with the card. Korean ATM machines work on a 4 digit PIN so if you have a 5 digit PIN then remember to leave off the last number when you make a cash withdrawal in Korea.

Electrical DevicesSouth Korea uses the same electrical voltage as South Africa so your electronics devices will work there. Korea however does not use the big South African 3 pin plug. Their wall sockets take a 2 pin plug the same size as those typically found on your cellphone or laptop charger.

So taking over cables with 3 pin South African plugs is dead weight in your luggage. We advise you unscrew (or cut) any 3 pin plugs from your laptop cable, hair dryer etc. and leave them behind. On your arrival in South Korea

you can visit an electrical store to have the local 2 pin plug spliced onto the cable.

Laptops & CellphonesIf you have a laptop take it with. If you do not it is better to buy in Korea as you’ll get newer models at excellent prices. The Korean cellphone system runs on CDMA technology which is incompatible with South Africas GSM system. Simply put, your South African

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Step-by-Step: Flight to Korea and Orientation - Page 3 of 5

cellphone is useful only as a directory of telephone numbers and an alarm clock in Korea. You will find an abundance of very new second hand cellphones in Korea. As soon as you have your Residence Card you will be able to open a cellphone account.

Medical InsuranceBy law you are placed onto the Korean National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC). This insurance covers everything with the exception of dental and optical services. The insurance can only be implemented once your Residence Card (ARC) has been issued (typically during or immediately after orientation). You can visit their website at this URL: http://www.nhic.or.kr/portal/site/eng/ So if you have an existing medical cover it is prudent to let it run until you are 2 weeks into your contract period in Korea before you cancel it. After you get your ARC Card you will be issued with a NHIC card which you present whenever you need to visit a medical practitioner, hospital or pharmacy in Korea. You are typically expected to pay a nominal administrative fee of about ZAR20 on each visit with the rest of the bill going directly to the NHIC.

The NHIC insurance does not cover you during international travels or for high risk sport so do consider travel or special event insurance when you visit other countries or go paragliding in Korea.

The week leading up to your departure, your arrival and your first 2-3 weeks in Korea are pretty frenetic and tiring. Jet-lag, climate and dietary adjustments will take their toll. We suggest you start on a 30 day course of vitamin supplements/energy boosters like Berocca a week before your departure and for the first 3 weeks in Korea to boost your immunity and help you to keep up.

Flight to South Korea - Incheon International AirportYou have a long flight to South Korea which will have you sitting in airplanes for up to 20 hours and changing planes at least once in a foreign airport. When you arrive you will dive into a frenetic procession of events and tasks. Korean’s do things really quickly and expect you to keep up so it is important that you get as much rest as possible during the long international legs of your journey. A mild sedative from your pharmacy might not be a bad idea so you can arrive at Incheon as fresh and rested as possible.

On the days that EPIK receive major intakes they set up a welcome desk at Incheon International Arrivals branded with the EPIK logo and manned by EPIK staff to check you in. They will move you to the shuttle buses that run all day between the airport and your orientation venue. So once you have collected your luggage and passed through customs you need to look for the EPIK desk which is typically located right in the centre of the main arrivals hall.

If you are going to Korea outside of the EPIK or SMOE program then TeachKorea will pre-arrange the logistics for getting you from the airport to your school.

Preparing for Orientation and Life in KoreaEven before you fly to Korea you can begin to prepare for the orientation and life in Korea. If you have been hired into the EPIK program they often run an online workshop designed to get you up to speed on the material you will be working with during orientation. You will find this on the EPIK website http://www.epik.go.kr.

You can click on each of these logo’s.

We strongly recommend you download A Guide to Korea (click on the logo). This is a very comprehensive Guest English Teachers Guidebook covering every aspect of your year in Korea.

Great places to start learning to read and speak Korean are on the Omniglot website and on YouTube where you will find tons of “how to speak Korean” tutorials. Korean Tourism also has a great English Hotline that you can dial from anywhere in Korea and get an English speaking operator trained to help you.(click on the Hotline logo).

Orientation & Medical ExaminationOrientation lasts from 5 to 10 days and is designed to prepare you for your year in Korea. It includes lectures and workshops to help you understand the aims and objectives of the Korean English Program and Korean culture.

During orientation you will be taken to the local government hospital for your medical. This consists of a basic examination (blood pressure, reflexes etc) and will include a chest x-ray, blood and urine tests to check for TB, HIV and narcotics. You are required to pay for this medical (R500 - R600). If you have TB, are HIV+ or illicit narcotics are found your contract will be cancelled immediately and you will be obliged to return home at your own expense.

The Travel Allowance of KRW1,3million that you will receive after orientation will reimburse you for your air ticket and this medical. For the duration of the orientation you will be accommodated at the university hosting the event and provided with 3 meals a day. At the end of orientation you will be provided transport to your respective schools. The orientation is not counted as part of your contract which will officially run 365 days from the day you arrive at your school.

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Step-by-Step: Flight to Korea and Orientation - Page 4 of 5

If you go to Korea as a direct placement outside of a February or August intake you will most likely go directly to your school and will have to rely on your co-teachers to “show you the ropes”.

Your School & Co-TeacherWhen you arrive at your school you will meet your Korean co-teacher. This is going to be the most important person in your life for the rest of the year so it is important that you nurture a good relationship built on trust and mutual respect. Not only will your co-teacher guide you to settle into the school curriculum and school life but they will also help you to settle into your apartment and neighbourhood. Please remember that your co-teacher is a human being with a family and responsibilities outside of the school so do not abuse the relationship by phoning them on weekends and late at night unless you have a serious problem that requires immediate attention. It will make a good impression to take your co-teacher and principal of your school a small gift when you go to Korea. A high quality Rooibos tea is a lightweight gift that is appreciated by Koreans who enjoy natural organic products.

Your Residence Card & Multiple Entry VisaOne of the first things you need on your arrival in Korea is your ARC (Alien Registration Card) This is your legal identity in South Korea for the duration of your contract. It empowers you to open bank, telephone, cellphone and internet accounts. You will be taken to a Korean Immigration Office either during orientation or as soon as you arrive at your school to get your ARC. Be sure to take your passport, a passport sized photograph and some money when you go.

Multiple Entry VisaWhile you are at the Immigration Office it is a good idea to also upgrade your E2 to a Multiple Entry Visa if you intend travelling during the year. The visa you get from the Korean Embassy in your home country enables you to enter Korea to work but does not permit any further entries should you leave Korea during your contract period. The Multiple Entry Visa will enable you to leave and re-enter Korea during your contract period. If you leave Korea without a Multiple Entry Visa your E2 will be automatically cancelled as you leave. Whenever you visit another country confirm if you need a visa by calling their embassy in Seoul. For example South African’s need a visa from the Japanese embassy before they can enter Japan.

Opening a Korean Bank AccountAs soon as you have your ARC you can open up a Korean bank account. You have to do this as your salary, Travel Allowance and Settlement Allowance are paid to you online. Your school will need the account details so they can enter you on the payment system.

Cellphone & InternetWith your ARC you can also get a cellphone and phone and internet access in your apartment. Ask your co-teacher to assist you in setting these up. Telecommunications in Korea is much cheaper than South Africa. For example you can get unlimited high speed broadband access in your apartment for less than R200 per month. Ask around school for a second hand cellphone rather than buying a brand new handset as this will save you a lot of money.

Getting AroundTransport CardsYou will find that public transport in South Korea is marvelous. There are bus, train and subway stations practically everywhere and the services are quick, cheap, reliable and plentiful. Do not pay cash on public transport as it costs a lot more. Rather get a T-Money card (or local card) from your bus station, train station or convenience store. These works like debit cards that can be topped up at one of hundreds of kiosks across Korea by depositing bank notes into the kiosk. When you ride a bus be sure to climb on at the front door and to swipe your Transport Card across the pad next to the driver. When you get off

use the back door and swipe the card to log the end of your journey. Transport Cards works on most public transport across Korea and can even be used in public phones and some taxis.

NavigationYou will find a great map of the entire country by clicking on this link: http://emap.visitkorea.or.kr/Scripts/EngMap.aspx

Be Warned!Koreans take a very dim view of jay-walkers and people who don’t recycle their garbage. So do not cross any street except at a pedestrian crossing or you might be confronted by a disapproving police officer with their ticket book at the ready. The fine can be hefty. Ask your co-teacher to show you how to separate and dispose of the garbage from your apartment. Most Korean cities and towns have a system of coloured garbage bags for your food waste, paper, plastic and glass. Be meticulous about separating the garbage accordingly as fines for not adhering to recycling rules are also a nasty financial shock!

Information on KoreaBeing the world’s leading internet nation you will find abundant online information on places to visit and things to do in South Korea. A great place to start is on the official Korea Tourism Organization website that is packed with maps, electronic guide books and tons of other useful information. Click on the logo to visit the website.

South Africans in South Korea & SAKORNETThere is a large South African community in South Korea of just on 2,000 EFL teachers. About half of them are members of the South Africans in South Korea FaceBook Group and/or SAKORNET. Joining these group on FaceBook can be very useful to find people in

your corner of Korea who understand what the word “eish” means along with dates and venues of organized events such as braais and dinners organized by and for South Africans. They are also very handy for finding out where you can find a salon that braids African hair or shops selling larger sized clothing.

South African Embassy in SeoulIt is agood idea to register with the South African Embassy in South Korea. Once you have arrived at your school and got all your details (address, land-line and cellphone number) e-mail the information to the embassy along with the dates of your contract so they have a record of how long you are in Korea and where you can be contacted.

Main Switchboard from SA: Tel: 00-82-2-792-4855 Consular Section Fax from SA: Tel: 00-82-2-793-5981 Fax: 00-82-2-792-4856

When dialling in Korea: Tel: 02-792-4855 Consular Section Fax in Korea: Fax: 00-82-2-793-5981 Fax: 02-2-792 4856 Email : general@southafrica-embassy.or.krEmail : consular.seoul@foreign.gov.za Click on the logo for SA embassy web-site:

Free Internet Phones & International Dialling CodesThe most cost effective way to talk with family back home is via SKYPE. This is a free internet-based VOIP phone service. Both parties need to be online with ADSL connections and have a PC with microphone and speakers (webcam is optional).

You can download SKYPE for free at their website: www.skype.com

If your family wants to call you in Korea they need to dial:

00 this is for international calls82 this is the country code for Korea

... and then your number in Korea minus the “0” at the beginning of your number.

So if your number in Korea is 010-6856-8116 calls from South Africa must be dialled 00-82-10-6856-8116 to reach you.

Finding Your FeetKorean culture can be both intoxicatingly efficient and inscrutably baffling to Westerners so you might well find yourself dealing with some culture shock from time to time. Take the time to read the Appendix on page 6 of this PDF file to gain a better understanding of what makes Korean tick and you’ll be better equipped to make the transition into your new host country.

Your Provincial Co-OrdinatorEach Korean city and province has it’s own Provincial Office of Education (POE). Each POE has a full time Coordinator who looks after the Guest English Teachers in that city or province. You will meet your Provincial Coordinator during orientation. Be sure to make friends and get their contact details as this is your first point of contact should you require assistance.

Give 100% & You Will Get 100%Korean culture is very big on reciprocity. If you give your all you will get their all. So throw yourself into your work with enthusiasm, dedication and diligence giving your best at all times and you will soon discover your school and colleagues will go to extraordinary lengths to make your Korean adventure a comfortable and enriching experience. Avoid the temptation to FaceBook or write personal e-mails during your free lessons at school but rather use that time to prepare lessons, and mark your pupils work. If your students find your classes exciting you will soon find them asking for extra afternoon classes which will translate into extra income for you when your weekly class hours start to exceed 22 hours.

There are over 30,000 people from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa teaching English in South Korea and this number increases every year, for good reason. It is a wonderful, lucrative and culturally enriching experience. So enjoy!

The TeachKorea TeamCape Town

Step-by-Step: Flight to Korea and Orientation - Page 5 of 5

USEFUL EXTRACTS FROM THE BOOK: KISS, BOW OR SHAKE HANDS

TIPS ON DOING BUSINESS IN SOUTH KOREA

• Koreans are more independent and individualistic than their Asian neighbors. They are the most straightforward of all Asians but can also be defensive, a trait stemming from a history of invasion by their neighbors.

• Foreigners should attempt to show proper respect to Korean supervisors. This includes not putting any thing on the manager’s desk (not even sales literature) during a presentation; Korean executives can be very territorial about their desks.

• Koreans do not maintain as much eye contact as North Americans. As a general rule Koreans of equal status will look at each other only half of the time during their conversation. When persons are of unequal status, the higher-ranking person will often avert his or her eyes during much of the conversation. Extended or intense eye contact can be associated with anger. North Americans who try to maintain continuous eye contact with a Korean may appear hostile or aggressive.

COUNTRY BACKGROUND - HistoryKorea’s original name, Choson, meant “land of the morning calm.” The country’s history has been shaped by frequent invasions from its neighbors. Ko-rean history is divided into three main periods: the Silla (668-935), Koryo (935-1392), and Yi (1392-1910) dynasties. The name “Korea” is derived from the middle dynasty of Koryo. Foreign influence - direct and indirect - occurred throughout these dynasties. All of Korea’s foreign overlords - Mongolian, Chinese, and Japanese-instituted a closed-door policy to solidify their rule. This isolation earned Korea the name of the Hermit Kingdom. In 1910, Japan annexed Korea and enforced ruthless control, outlawing Korean culture and language. Despite resistance, several generations grew up more familiar with Japanese than with Korean customs. At the Yalta Conference at the end of World War 11, the United States and the Soviet Union jointly established temporary administrative trusteeship over Korea until democratic elections could be held, Japanese forces south of the thirty-eighth parallel surrendered to the United States and forces in the north surrendered to the USSR. The Soviets blocked attempts to hold nationwide elections, and the two sides be-came dead- locked. When authorities in the north ignored a United Nations resolution for supervised, elections in 1948, a pro-western government was established in the south (the Republic of Korea). Later the Soviet Union established the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the north. In June 1949, U.S. troops withdrew.

One year later, North Korean forces invaded South Korea. A United Nations-backed coalition of sixteen member nations sent assistance to South Korea. The resulting war lasted three years and ended in a stalemate. On July 27, 1953, an armistice agreement was signed and a Military Armistice Commission with five members for each side was set up to supervise the implementation of the armistice. Neither the United States nor South Korea ever signed the agreement (although they respect the terms as members of the United Nations), so a state of war is formally still in effect.

The United States still maintains a military presence in South Korea, although feelings that this should end are growing.

The year 1980 marked the beginning of Korea’s focused development of a high-tech industry. It was also the year of the Kwangju massacre, when government troops killed hundreds of demonstrators who were part of a pro-democracy movement. In 1988 Seoul hosted the Olympic games and Korea held their first free parliamentary elections. South (and North) Korea joined the United Nations in 1991, and in 2000, former president Kim Dae Jung received the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2004, a site was chosen for the new capital city in the Yeongi-Kwangju area.

Type of GovernmentSouth Korea is a unitary multiparty republic, governed by a president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, and State Council (cabinet). There is also a unicameral National Assembly and a Supreme Court. The prime minister is the head of the government. The chief of state is the president, who is elected to a five-year term. Members of the National Assembly serve a four-year term. Current government data can be found at the Embassy of South Korea at www.korea embassyusa.org.

LanguageKorean is the official language of South Korea. English is widely taught in schools. Therefore, businesspeople are often familiar with English, especially in urban areas. Korean is a Ural-Altaic language, but, unlike Japanese and Chinese, Korean does not use tones. Approximately 1,300 Chinese characters are used in modern Korean. The literacy rate is 92 percent, and newspaper readership is very high in South Korea.

The South Korean ViewDominant religions include Confucianism, Christianity (28 percent of the population) Buddhism, Shamanism (spirit worship), and Chondokyo (religion of the heavenly way. South Korea is a society run along Confucian precepts. In fact, Confucianism may have had a more profound effect on Korea than it had even in China, where Confucianism originated - (Remember that Confucianism is not a religion in the classic sense of the word. Rather, it is a philosophy and guide for living.)

Confucius taught that the basic unit of society is the family. To preserve harmony in the home, certain reciprocal responsibilities must be preserved in relationships. These relationships are between ruler and subjects, between husband and wife, between father and son between elder brother and younger brother, and between friends. Because all but the last are hierarchical, rank and age are very important in all interactions. While all actions of the individual reflect upon the family, filial piety is of utmost importance. Virtues of kindness, righteousness, propriety, intelligence, and faithfulness are also revered.

Extracted from Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands by Terri Morrison & Wayne A. Conway

Step-by-Step: Flight to Korea and Orientation - Appendix - Page 1 of 5

The only relationships of equality in Korea are between members of the same class. One’s closest friends are drawn from this group.

Korea has no official religion. Buddhism has traditionally been the major Korean religion, but Buddhism has gone through periods when it was repressed by Korea’s Confucian rulers. Buddhism is Korea’s most popular religion, although only 27.6 percent of Koreans identify themselves as Buddhist. (Over half of Koreans follow no formal religion at all.) Koreans are proud that Christianity did not reach Korea through missionaries. Instead, a Korean scholar studying in Beijing was baptized a Catholic in 1777. It was this scholar, on his return, who introduced Catholicism to Korea. Protestantism gained a foot-hold in 1884, via a Protestant physician who became the royal physician.

Whatever their formal religion, most Koreans also follow traditional Shamanistic beliefs. These include a belief in spirits, the veneration of ancestors, and the usefulness of fortune-telling. If there is one classic Korean characteristic, it would be resiliency. Koreans seem to be able to survive almost any hardship. Sacrifice has been demanded of one generation after another of Koreans. The results of this sacrifice in South Korea are evident to any visitor: a poor, war-torn agricultural country with few resources has transformed itself into the tenth largest economy in the world.

CULTURAL ORIENTATION

Cognitive Styles: How South Koreans Organize and Process InformationIn South Korea, one finds a culture that is closed to many foreign influences. Its basic education teaches one to think associatively and subjectively. In all situations, personal involvement is stronger than the rules and laws one might use to control behavior.

Negotiation Strategies: What South Koreans Accept as EvidenceOne’s personal feelings about an issue have traditionally been perceived as the truth. The use of objective facts is becoming more common in negotia-tions. Faith in the ideologies of nationalism may have some influence on an individual’s view.

Value Systems: The Basis for BehaviorKoreans are strong adherents of Confucianism. They strive to build a society in which individuals are aware of their relative position, fulfill their obliga-tions to superiors with obedience and respect, and recognize their responsibility to treat inferiors with justice and benevolence. The following three sec-tions identify the Value Systems in the predominant culture-their methods of dividing right from wrong, good from evil, and so forth.

Locus of Decision-MakingThis is a collectivistic culture in which the individual may speak for the group, but decisions are made by a consensus of the group, with deference given to the one in the group who has the highest ethos-usually the oldest member. Loyalty to kin always supersedes loyalty to friends, neighbors, or the state. The self is downplayed, but Western-style individualism is felt. One must not cause another person to be embarrassed, so an outright “no” is rarely used.

Sources of Anxiety ReductionThe nuclear family is the basic unit of society, but the extended family gives stability and security to its members. There is a very strong work ethic, but intra-group harmony must also be maintained. Giving gifts to acquire favors is a common practice in the workplace and reciprocity is expected. Friends expect to rely on each other for everything. They spend a lot of time together, and friendships last a lifetime.

Issues of Equality/InequalityIn business, the emphasis is on entry-level skills and team play. There is an inherent trust in people because of the homogeneity of the populace and so-cial pressure. This produces a strong feeling of interdependency among members of a group or business. Age is revered. Respect and deference are di-rected from the younger to the older, and authority and responsibility from the older to the younger. There are clearly differentiated sex roles in society,but Western-style equality is creeping in and there is a strong feminist movement. Men still generally dominate in public situations.

Punctuality, Appointments, and Local Time• Be punctual to meetings. This is expected from foreigners as a sign of good business practice. Do not get upset, however, if your counterpart is late.• Punctuality is also expected at social events.• Koreans often arrange one-on-one business meetings (as opposed to the Japanese, who prefer group meetings). Nevertheless, this one Korean businessperson will have to sell your proposal to his or her entire company. It is important that you establish a strong relationship with your contact person.• Age and rank are very important in Korea. It is sometimes easier to establish a rapport with a businessperson your own age.• When entering a group meeting, the senior member of your party should enter the conference room first, then the next-highest- ranking person, and so on. The Koreans will be lined up inside in order of importance.• Many Europeans and Asians write the day first, then the month, then the year (e.g. December 3, 2010, is written 3.12.10 or 3/12/10).• Local time is nine hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (G.M.T +9), or seven hours ahead of South African Time (C.A.T. +7).

NegotiatingAt each meeting, take time to talk to your counterpart. The first meeting should be solely for that purpose; never jump right into business discussions. Expect tea to be served at the beginning of the meeting; it is good manners to accept this sign of hospitality. Retain your formality as long as your coun-terpart does; do not become “chummy.”

• Do not be fooled into thinking that Korea is completely westernized because of its facade of “modernization”. While the younger generation is open to globalization, traditional values run deep, especially with the older generation. You may find younger executives easier to negotiate with, as they will follow more westernized patterns.

Extracted from Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands by Terri Morrison & Wayne A. Conway

Step-by-Step: Flight to Korea and Orientation - Appendix - Page 2 of 5

• Business will tend to take place at a slower pace than in Europe or North America. Be patient with delays in decision-making. Often, this is a tactic to wear down the other side. Therefore, do not talk about your deadlines. Expect to make several trips to Korea before reaching an agreement.• Do not be surprised if a Korean executive does not call you back immediately when you notify his or her office of a problem. Korean employees are very protective of their supervisors’ harmony and traditionally will not upset their boss with a problem until the timing is just right. This is especially true at the start of the workday.• Find out who will be included in the negotiating team for the other side and match the rank of the persons represented. Status is very important, and a mismatch may prove embarrassing to both sides. Generally, representatives should be older and hold senior positions in the company.• Although this is changing, it is still not common to have women participate in business in Korea. This means that women will have the additional challenge of overcoming an initial hesitancy. It is best to consider this factor and mention to your Korean contact that a woman will be included in the team. This will allow them some time to adjust to the situation.• Negotiations in Korea will be much more emotional than in Western countries that stress logic and the bottom-line cost. Mutual trust and com- patibility will be the basis of a good business relationship. Also be prepared for the style to be aggressive at times. Koreans are much more direct and quicker to express anger or frustration. Remain calm yourself, and do not take everything said during these sessions seriously.• Consider sending your proposals in advance of your visit for your host to preview. At a presentation, recap the major points at the beginning and the end. Break up the information into small segments with pauses and question-and-answer periods in between. Be patient with extensive questioning. Address the chief negotiator occasionally, even if he does not speak English. Do not use triangular shapes in your promotional material, because triangles have negative connotations.• Look for cues that your counterpart did not understand you. Silence is one such sign.• Do not ask or expect Koreans to tell you when this happens, as it will embarrass them. Instead, rephrase your statement or inquire if they would like more information.• The use of a translator is recommended to avoid these miscommunications. • Brute honesty is not appreciated in Korea. While a direct “no” is more accepted in Korea than in other Asian countries, Koreans are not as direct as many westerners. To avoid saying “no” Koreans will often give the answer they think the other wants to hear. It is more important to leave you with good feelings than to be accurate and cause you dismay. Therefore, learn to listen to subtleties by asking questions that do not require a yes or no answer. A “yes” or nod of the head may mean “maybe” or “I understand.” A “maybe’ usually means “no.” A negative response is sometimes indicated by a squint of the eyes or by tipping the head back while drawing air in through the teeth and waiting for you to speak again.• Be sensitive to the overall length of the meeting. If the Koreans appear curious, take this lead and pursue it. If they return to social chitchat, take this as a sign that they are finished discussing business for the day.• Bow at the beginning and end of a meeting. An exit bow that is longer than the greeting bow is an indication that the meeting went well.• Treat the elderly with respect. Acknowledge them first in a group, and do not smoke or wear sunglasses when they are near. If you meet in a doorway, allow the older person to pass through first.• Modesty is very important. Do not enter a home or office until you are invited, and do not seat yourself until you are asked to do so. Wait for the invitation to be extended several times before accepting. Be modest about your position and accomplishments in your company, and if you receive a compliment, politely refute it. Expect others to do the same. This should not stop you from complimenting another, however, as compliments are appreciated.• Not losing “face” - the dignity of another person - is a very important and delicate matter. Therefore, never embarrass another person, especially in public. Never criticize your competition or admit that you do not know the answer to a question.• Do not confuse Korean history and culture with those of any of its Asian neighbors. Korea has a distinctive language, history, and culture, and they are very proud of this. This pride and sense of history is quite strong and constitutes a large part of their self- image. Koreans are especially sensitive about Japan, so do not bring gifts from Japan or make reference to personal contacts there.• Be careful not to overly admire an object belonging to another person; be or she may feel obliged to give it to you.• Koreans tend to be suspicious of people they do not know, or people with whom they do not have a mutual contact. Try to obtain a personal introduction. • Be prepared to give out a lot of business cards. Have your name, company, and title printed in English on one side and in Korean on the reverse. Cards are very important, since they indicate your rank and are a key to the respect you deserve in their culture.• Offer your card with your right hand. Never place a Korean’s card in your wallet if you intend to put your wallet in your back pocket. Never write on a business card.• Do not sign a contract or write a person’s name in red ink. To many Buddhists, this indicates that the person is deceased.• Do not be surprised if you are asked personal questions, such as how much you paid for something or your salary. These questions are not considered in bad taste in Korea and often reflect an attempt to determine your rank and status.• Attempts by foreigners to adhere to Korean modes of etiquette will not go unnoticed and may be instrumental in your eventual business success.

Business Entertaining• The largest meal of the day is eaten in the evening, usually between 6:00 and 8:00pm.• Entertaining is most often done in a restaurant or coffee shop; rarely is it done at home. If you are invited to a home, consider this an honor. Do not discuss business during a meal unless your host brings it up first. Do not expect to be shown around the house, and do not wander about the home or look in such rooms as the kitchen.• Remove your shoes when entering a Korean home, restaurant, or temple building. Leave them with the toes pointing away from the building. When putting your shoes back on, do not sit with your back toward the temple.• Call ahead before visiting a home. When taking your leave, express your thanks and bow slightly. Send a thank-you note to your host after a meal. It is polite to reciprocate by inviting your host to a meal of equal value at a later date.• It is common to be invited out after business hours to a bar or dinner where there will be a lot of alcohol. This is an important part of establishing an informal relationship and judging the character of the other person. The alcohol is a stimulus to expression of more direct

Extracted from Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands by Terri Morrison & Wayne A. Conway

Step-by-Step: Flight to Korea and Orientation - Appendix - Page 3 of 5

opinions; however, all comments and promises made during these times will be taken seriously afterward. Do not refuse these invitations, and do not bring your spouse. Try to reciprocate before you leave.• The person who invites the other(s) is expected to pay for the meal. It is polite for the younger to pay for the older. In all cases, a good-natured argument over who will pay is expected.• Koreans eat a lot of garlic in their food. The smell is emitted from the skin. In getting used to this, remember that Koreans may find the odors emitted from red meat eaters, or heavy caffeine drinkers, offensive. Remember that the sense of olfaction is in a primitive part of the brain, and any strong reaction you may have to different scents should be guarded.• When sitting on the floor for a meal, men should cross their legs while sitting on the cushion. Women (and men) may sit with their legs to the side, but never straightened out under the table.• Koreans use chopsticks for eating and a porcelain spoon for soup. Your attempts at using chopsticks will be appreciated. When you are finished, set your chopsticks on the chop- stick rest. Placing them parallel on top of your bowl is considered a sign of bad luck and leaving them sticking out of rice is in bad taste, because this is how offerings are made to ancestors.• Pass food with your right hand, supported by your left. Do not be shocked to see unusual foods. (There are many delicacies in Korea that might surprise a Western palate). It is polite to refill your neighbor’s cup and soy sauce bowl when empty; expect the same. Drinking partners will often trade filled cups to drink. If you do not want a refill, do not finish your glass.• Do not put food taken from a serving dish directly into your mouth. Transfer it to your plate or bowl first. Never pick up food with your fingers. Even fruit is eaten in slices with chopsticks.• At a meal, do not finish everything on your plate. This indicates that you are still hungry and that the host did not provide enough for you. The host will offer more food several times. Even if you want more, refuse at least twice before accepting more. If you are hosting a party offer food at least three times.• At the end of a meal, there may be singing. It is impolite to refuse to sing if asked.

Cultural NoteWithout question, the trait that sets Koreans apart from the Chinese, Japanese, and other Asians is their emotionalism. ... They are quick to anger and just as quick to reconciliation. They are the only Asians among whom you will commonly see public tears or public displays of affection ......

“Korean men are very emotional even when making business decisions. If you strike the right emotional cord, the Korean decision-maker will often respond favorably simply on impulse. On the other hand, a Korean, unlike Japanese, will not be polite when you get on his wrong side. Korean tempers can get awfully hot.-From The Asian Mind Game by Chin-ning Chu.

PROTOCOL

Greetings• Korean men greet each other with a slight bow and sometimes an accompanying handshake while maintaining eye contact. Indicate added respect by supporting your right forearm with your left hand during the handshake.• The junior person will initiate the greetings and be the first to bow. The senior person will be the first to offer his hand. A gentle handshake or nod of the head may be sufficient in business circles. Women rarely shake hands. Generally, men should not try to shake hands with Korean women; Western women will have to initiate a handshake with Korean men.• Elderly people are very highly respected, so it is polite to greet them first-and spend a few minutes speaking with them.• A compliment on an elder’s good health is always appreciated.• Wait to be introduced to another at gatherings and parties. Avoid introducing yourself, and employ a third person if there is someone you wish to meet.

Titles/Forms of Address• Korean names are different from Western names. Traditionally, a person had a family name, a generational or clan name, and a given-or first- name (in that order). For example, Kim Hyong- Sim has the family name of Kim, the generational name of Hyong, and a first name of Sim. While this is confusing to westerners, our system is equally confusing to them, so they, too, may mix Western names around.• Korean family names tend to be one-syllable, while generational names are more likely to be two-syllable.• Note that family names can be transliterated into English in several ways; in English, the surname Lee might be Rhee, Yi, Li, or Lee.• Address people by their title alone or by both their title and their family name. Kim Hyong-Sim would be referred to as Mr. Kim, Kim Sonsaeng nim (meaning “Mr’ or “teacher”) or Kimssi, with the suffix - ssi added, which can mean “Mr.,” “Mrs.” or “Miss.’ Given names are not used unless permission is granted to do so. • Married women will keep their maiden names. If you do not know a woman’s maiden name, it is permissible to refer to her as “Madame” with her husband’s family name.

Gestures• Do not put your arm around another person’s shoulders. People of the same sex may hold hands. Physical contact is inappropriate with older people, with people of the opposite sex, or with people who are not good friends or family.• Feet are considered dirty and should not touch other people or objects. Men should keep their feet flat on the floor during formal situations. At other times men should take care that the soles of their shoes are pointing down. Women are permitted to cross their legs.• Show respect to older people by touching your left hand, palm up, lightly to your right elbow when shaking hands or passing objects such as food or documents.• Get someone’s attention by extending your arm palm down and moving your fingers up and down. Beckoning a person by moving a single finger toward you is very rude.• Cover your mouth when yawning or using a toothpick. It is not necessary to cover your mouth when laughing, as many Korean women do.

Extracted from Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands by Terri Morrison & Wayne A. Conway

Step-by-Step: Flight to Korea and Orientation - Appendix - Page 4 of 5

• Blowing your nose in public is considered gauche. If the highly spiced Korean food affects you, get up and move away from the table before blowing your nose.• If embarrassed, a Korean may laugh excessively.• Intermittent eye contact is important to convey sincerity and attentiveness to the speaker.

Gifts• When visiting a family, it is appropriate to bring a gift of fruit, imported coffee, or quality tea such as ginseng, chocolates, or crafts from home. Liquor may be given to a man but never to a woman.• When giving or receiving a gift, use both hands. The gift is not opened in the presence of the giver. A gift of money should be put in an envelope. Expect initial resistance to receiving a gift. This is polite, so be persistent.

Dress• Men should wear a conservative suit and tie and a white shirt for business.• Fashions are changing for women; they may wear a conservative suit, pantsuit, skirt and blouse, or dress. Whatever you select, avoid tight skirts, because many people sit on the floor in homes and restaurants.• Dress modestly for informal times. Revealing clothing for women will be a mark of poor character. Shorts are appropriate for young people. Avoid the colors yellow and pink.

Extracted from Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands by Terri Morrison & Wayne A. Conway

Step-by-Step: Flight to Korea and Orientation - Appendix - Page 5 of 5