I T I S A C O U N T RY

T H AT I S L O O K I N G T O
S O U T H KO R E A THE FUTURE THANKS
Known as the TO THESE MANY
TECHNOLOGICAL
A D VA N C E S , B U T
WHICH
N E V E RT H E L E S S
WISHES TO GIVE
HOW THEY PRACT ICE THE PRIORITY TO ITS
COLLECTIVISM A N C E S T RA L H E R I TA G E
AND TRA DIT IONS.

Context of South Korean

Korea Management

Conclusions Pics of examples

They are the points that we are

going to explain

E D U C AT I O N VO LU N T E E R I N G O R
LEADERSHIP?

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Context of South Korea

1. History of South Korea

1st century of our era, 3 kingdoms of instant: 2 in the South which cohabit vs 1
kingdom in the North which are their enemies. Until the 4th century conflict between these
kingdoms, several tribal entities created around these kingdoms, Korea very divided. As
the kingdom of Silla increases in power. In the 8th century the kingdom of Silla will join
forces with China, which will cause a very important Chinese presence on the territory. At
that time, Korea was not independent but rather under China's control. Faced with this
Chinese domination, the Koreans will want to eject them. In the 10th century the Chinese
domination ended in the Korean peninsula and we can talk about the first period of
independence of Korea marked by the unification of the country. This independence lasted
until 1231 when Korea faced a Mongol invasion. Faced with this invasion, Korea lost its
power and gave way to Mongolian power. In 1364, the Koreans regained control of the
country and until the 19th century there was a period of independence and united Korea
until it came back under the power of China and it was not until the Sino-Japanese war,
when Korean territory was under Japanese rule from 1905 to 1945.

Following the Second World War, Cold War tensions began to rise between the
United States and the USSR. And these tensions will eventually determine what Korea will
become after the Second World War. The North is managed by the USSR & the South by
the USA, the purpose of this separation being to invest and control the territory jointly with
the USSR to restore peace. There are tensions between the two superpowers, especially
ideological. The separation of the territory, which was supposed to be temporary, ended up
being permanent. In each part of Korea, each superpower will establish its strategy since
these 2 superpowers want to have a part of Korea under their control and want to be able
to influence the new Korean powers with their political ideology. The USSR wants to
spread communism all over the world while the USA wants a capitalist economic system.
However, the USSR and the USA do not take administrative control, since very quickly
Korean governments will be put in place. In the South the United States will set up a man
in whom it trusts Syngman Rhee, who is a Korean politician who studied in the United
States and who supports capitalist ideology, and they encourage and support him in his
political efforts so that he can set up a favourable government with American ideology.
(The same will be done in North Korea by the USSR). This is how the break-up will take
place and Korea will find itself permanently divided between the South and the North. This
conflict would bring the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.

It will be a series of offensive and counter-offensive from both sides. There was a
first phase, which is the attack by North Korea on South Korea. North Korea wants to
reunify South Korea under a communist regime and receives authorization from the
USSR, which will provide the weapons to wage war. The offensive was very fast, and
surpassed South Korea's weapons strength and managed to take over a large territory
quickly. South Korea has only a small territory left in the south-east of the country. It will
therefore take UN intervention to turn the solution around in their favour. The UN will hold
a vote. Where the USSR could have used its right of veto, the USSR refrained from doing
so by preferring to abstain and the UN will be able to launch itself into the War supported
by the USA, England, Canadians... to set up a rapid and radical offensive to push North
Korea back to the northern border of the country which constitutes the 2nd phase.
By pushing the northern border far too far, North Korea has moved far too close to
the Chinese border, the latter decide to counter-attack, which is the third phase. With
Chinese support, North Korea succeeded in pushing back the border, which was then
stabilized. Then start talking to them to end the conflicts, which brings us to the current
situation since the war in Korea is not yet over, it is just that for the moment North Korea
and South Korea is in a truce that prevents both sides from tackling each other. The border
is the last place on the planet where we find the Cold War mentality where soldiers face
each other on the border. 126 thousand Korean families cut off from their families because
of this conflict separated by the border. The gap between the two Koreas continues to
grow and makes possible reunification complex. However, it should be kept in mind that at
any time the conflict may resume.

2. Business and Economy

After the Korean War between the two poles from 1950 to 1953, South Korea was
considered the third poorest country in the world just before Sudan. In 50 years it has
become one of the most prosperous nations while it is still at war with North Korea, it has

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caught up with the West and its industry competes in many areas with other countries in
the world, particularly Europe and America.

Busan 3 million inhabitants, 2nd largest city in the country. A port city, the largest
port in South Korea, industrial fishing plays an important role in the city's economy and
aims to compete with Japan's. The city of Busan exports 80% of Korean products. The
port is well located since it is at the crossroads of China, Japan and Russia. 5th in the
world for cargo traffic. Korea has thus joined the Asian dragon group and is expanding its
production, particularly in technology and automotive sectors, internationally. This is also
where imports from Europe and the USA arrive. The port has played an essential role in
Korea's economic growth. The city links the world of southern life to the great
metropolises. However, there is still fishing craftsmanship in the city, which still allows
citizens to engage in a commercial activity that benefits the most disadvantaged. The city
of Busan seeks to preserve its old districts and a certain way of life. In the 1950s, because
of the war, the inhabitants of Korea came to take refuge in the Gangsheon district. To
preserve this district, the municipality implemented in 2005 a cooperation with artists and
residents to try to put the environment and decoration of the district in order to restore the
houses and thus attract tourists.

3 km from Busan, in Buyéau, an agricultural region, the Korean Industry Ginseng

Corporation transforms the root of Ginseng into an elixir for youth. Ginseng is a plant that
would have amazing medicinal properties. Koreans actually have a major export product
like mobile phones and cars. To create these products have used advanced technologies
to meet very strict specifications since it is necessary to avoid pesticides but also that the
product is organic by avoiding all possible nuisances that the plant can be contained in the
plant. This is followed by a pre-commercialization analysis process. Koreans have a
medical approach that aims to prevent disease while improving overall health. He is
looking for the root of the problem rather than trying to treat the symptoms. They combine
the know-how of the elders with the latest scientific methods. Ginseng is considered to be
the cure for remedies. It is said that many politicians regularly use them.

In 1964, in Uslan, the first Korean car left Hyundai's production lines. Today
Hyundai holds 83% of the local market and has long since set out to conquer the global
market. Corporate patriotism allows the brand to establish itself as a major player in this
industry. Hyundai is currently developing new car prototypes, particularly in partnership
with Air Liquide, hydrogen powered cars. This country, which has no natural wealth, must
develop new technologies to escape energy dependence.

South Korea is the largest shipyard in the world. Hyundai founded by Hasan is one
of the most important industrial groups in the country. The city of Usan, 2 hours from
Uslan, lives and works for Hyundai. In March 1972, the city of Usan had 200 homes when
the shipyard was built and today the city has a population of 1 million, most of whom are
linked to the company. In 1983 Hyundai heavy industries overtook Mitsubishi to become
the world's leading shipbuilder and since then the company has held its own. At present,
there are 26 thousand employees and 36 thousand collaborators. The company is
committed to ecoship. Ecoship consists in building larger ships, using the most efficient

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materials and inventing efficient technologies while respecting the environment. At the
beginning of the 1990s, the company experienced numerous conflicts between employers
and trade unions, with numerous strikes. After 1994, employees and management realized
that this was not the way to go and for more than 20 years’ conflicts have not reappeared.
Hyundai aspires to compete with large companies such as General Electric, Siemens or
Alstom in the field of natural resources and the environment. In addition to Hyundai
Industry, Hyundai Motors is also based in Ulsan.

Discipline, the importance given to education and hierarchy have played a role in
the development of countries. For South Korea, tradition makes it possible to maintain a
stable society. Compared to China and Japan, South Korea focuses not only on domestic
demand but also on international demand since it has almost no domestic demand and
relies only on exports to compete with them. It is by developing Korean technology and
maintenance that countries wish to escape Chinese pressure. Among Korean companies
there are very few that have an international added value. Companies like Samsung,
Hyundai or LG are very active on the international scene and thanks to them South Korea
has become known.

The capacities and abilities of each individual have been put to use in the
company's development projects, so in a very short period of time South Korea has
achieved the goal it had set for itself. Koreans work too much and think it's normal. Those
who played a leading role in the country's economic development were convinced that
hard work is normal and had serious personal problems. But to get the country back on its
feet was a priority for them and they were all sacrificed. Nowadays, individualistic
behaviours have spread among the new generation and new conflicts have emerged
within families between young people and parents. The Koreans are naive, when they do a
few things they don't do it halfway, but he always thinks in terms of a collective. They were
driven by a strong desire to get the country back on its feet. They never settle for the bare
minimum. They all put their lives on the line.

After the liberation of many products entered Korea illegally or authorized as

electronic products and clothing, this then created a very strong distinction between social
classes. To overcome an emerging frustration, the elders worked hard and sacrificed
themselves for their children, hoping that their descendants would succeed better than
they did. Parents thought education was the key and invested to get their children to
prestigious schools. Since the 1980s, universities have formed a very high-level elite
above the international average. This new generation is driving Korea's current economic
development. However, the gap between rich and poor is widening. Political practice has
improved significantly but continues to be flawed.

People in Asia and around the world are very surprised by the country's incredible
economic development. The South Koreans have been able to recover their country, which
was completely destroyed by the War, and make it one of the world's great economic
powers. Much talk about the "Korean Miracle".

3. Politics of the country

South Korea is a country very patriotic, who know how important ir is to respect their
country and the effort made by the people to rise up before the wars and falls suffered by
other governments such as China and Japan. Therefore, it is for this very reason that they
created their flag which is described in this way:

Taegeukgi
- White background:
Means that it carries as
meaning: Peace, Love and
Bright.

- Ying and Yang:

Means the balance between
positive (heat and light) and
negative (cold and
darkness).

- Taeguks:
They symbolize the sky,
earth, water and fire.

Since 1948, the Constitution of South Korea has undergone five major reforms, and
each of them signified a new republic. The current Sixth Republic began with the last

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constitutional reform of 1988, which established the basis for South Korea to become a
parliamentary democracy.

From the first election that governed by the sixth republic opened many international
doors for the country as: laws to recover individual liberties and eliminate any vestige of
previous authoritarian regimes. Likewise, the freedom of the press, the autonomy of the
universities, and the restrictions to travel abroad were eliminated. On the other hand, the
country opened worldwide because they coincided with the celebration of the Olympic
Games in Seoul 1988.

However, despite being a country that is constantly growing, it also has a serious
corruption problem at the highest level. All its leaders, since there is democracy, have
been involved in corruption scandals. Including the former president of the country, Park
Geun-hye now in jail. South Korea decided to leave the list of states that do not need a
visa to step on South Korean territory. Likewise, it has blocked the exit of refugees from
the island of Jeju, a visa-free zone for citizens of almost the entire world and a usual tourist
destination.

In recent years, South Korean political parties tend to rename or merge with each
other. The most influential parties are:
 - Partido Minju: center, socioliberal, main opposition party, created in 2014 from
the merger between the Democratic Party and the Party for a New Political
Vision. He has dominated the National Assembly since August 2017.
- Party Freedom of Korea: right / center-right

Among the minor parties, we can mention:

- The Justice Party: center-left, progressive.
- The Unified Progressive Party (UPP): left.

4. Culture

 Technology: Seoul is an ultra-modern megalopolis that has established itself as a

Korea ahead of its time. The inhabitants are ultra-connected and surf the fastest
Internet in the world, both in the city and in the metro. The country holds the world
record for the highest number of telephones per capita. The company is training
new generations in new technologies and those from kindergarten onwards by
introducing connected toys to get them used to the presence of robots in their future
lives. These measures are part of a broader education program on robotics
awareness. 20% of Koreans are said to have developed an addiction to the Internet
and smartphones. South Korea has made significant progress in digital technology.
Telecommunications companies are constantly innovating and imagining the future
connected objects of tomorrow. At SK Telecom, the company imagined the

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 possibility that the telephone could be the key to human life and that its use would
be essential to human beings in their daily tasks and considered futuristic fitting
rooms to determine whether clothing is suitable for individuals. Technological
innovation has been a national priority for more than 20 years. In the field of video
games, Korea is renowned for making video games professional. E-sport is of great
importance in Korean culture. Players have a considerable fan base and are paid to
play online at major competitions.

 Religion: We can think that the main religion in Korea is Buddhist. It represents
24% of the population is Buddhist, but it is not the main one since the majority
religion is the Christian religion with 31.6% of Christians including 24% Protestants
and 7.6% Catholics. The most Protestant temple in the world is in South Korea, the
Yoido Full Gospell Church. However, 60% of the elected representatives are
Catholic despite the fact that there is a separation of the religion and the
government. This majority is not appreciated by Buddhists who feel less
represented even though they are the traditional religion of the country. Similarly,
South Korea has a large number of Buddhist temples. Indeed, Buddhism was
introduced to Korea by a Chinese monk in the 4th century. Now, people are retiring
to some of these temples to live the daily life of the monks to relax and cut off from
the outside world. Monks practice meditation while walking. Korean traditions are
well rooted in mentalities and especially in the territory. There is a very low
proportion of Muslims in South Korea. On the margins of the society, there is the
philosophical doctrine of Confucianism created by Confucius which was a state
religion in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, it represents 1% of the population but
it has greatly influenced the society since we find patriarchal ideas and the value of
work. However, the new generation tends to leave this doctrine. There is also
Shamanism, a belief in the souls of the dead around us, which represents less than
1% of the population. Shamans are still found in villages for rituals that are often
solicited for their powers to bless businesses.
 

 Very strong family value: taking care of parents & grandparents. Closed
individuals but warm because they are not used to being around other people,
because for a long time the country has been closed in on itself. Many families live
under the same roof with several generations (children, parents, children). This type
of model was present in the 1990s or even 2000. This type of family tends to
disappear in order to leave a home composed of parents and children.
In addition, there are several single-parent families (1 parent with 1 or more
children) since South Korea is one of the countries with the highest divorce rates
because people marry very young. There is another type of family where
grandparents raise children when the parents work or have gone abroad to work
and send money. With the new generation, women are emancipated and prefer to
focus on their careers, creating many childless homes.

 Music: K-pop is established all over the world. In Korea, concert halls broadcast
hologram concerts of the artists on a loop. The K-pop is generally made up of a
group of young boys or girls. There are schools to become a K-pop star. The
characteristics of this musical genre are the colorful hairstyles, extravagant
costumes, dynamic choreographies and artists who are young and who meet the
criteria of Korean beauty, the lyrics are quite sentimental and are intended to move
us. The themes covered are rather superficial and do not tell a particular story: the
first love, separation, regret, grief etc. that the audience keeps asking for again and
again. The K-pop is a real music industry that meets very precise rules imposed by
very powerful labels and obviously behind the "softness" of the style, there is a

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 fierce competition because the financial stakes are very high. The singers' careers,
on the other hand, are very short. (To finish -> Sofia)

 Varied gastronomy: marinated pork, Ginseng introduced into gastronomy, insects

(silk glass), fish, seafood, giant oysters, giant mussels, octopus. Fishing is
particularly important in Busan, which is a fishing port where you can find all kinds
of fish and shellfish that you can eat raw at the market.

 Immovable heritage: Korea, a country that links tradition and modernity. The
country's development is important, but Koreans remain very attached to tradition
and want to respect their heritage as much as possible. Seoul has 11 million
inhabitants, which is why there are so many buildings in the city. Seoul contrasts
 with medieval villages such as Junshu village, the village was abandoned for 1000
years. Following an initiative of the region, it has been rehabilitated over the past 10
years to provide a legacy for future generations. Korea has several heritages that
are inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, including temples, palaces and
villages. Koreans are fighting to get as many sites recognized as possible so that
they are recognized and known by all.

 Sport: Taekwondo, national sport: combat sport but also defence sport by attacking
the 3 vital points. However, it is important to respect your opponent and remain
courteous. This sport is very representative of South Korea, its history began 2,000
years ago, when Korea was divided into 3 kingdoms. Each had its own martial art
and at the reunification in 1955, they were brought together taking into account
modern scientific knowledge.

II. Korean Management

5. Cultural Dimensions (in link with the course) ---> Clara

6. People's Gesture (in link with the course)

7. Relations with other countries

8. How to do business with the country ----> Etienne

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