SOUTH KOREA - FACTS AND FIGURES

For more information, try these web sites:
Gateway to Korea
Korealink

Area: 99, 392 km2

Population: 44.8 million (1995 estimate)

Population Growth: 0.7% (1995 estimate)

Capital: Seoul

Official Name: Republic of Korea

System of Government: Constitutional Republic; President and National Assembly are directly elected.

Head of State: President Kim Young-sam

Prime Minister: Lee Soo-sung

Key Governmnet Ministers: Han Seung-Soo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance; Yu Chong-Ha, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Park Jae-Yoon, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy

Language: Korean

Literacy Rate: 96%

Ethnic Background: Korean, Chinese less than 1%

Religion: Mostly Christian with Protestants making up 33% of the population and Catholics 7%. Confucianism is subscribed to by 24% of the population as is Buddhism. The rest of the population is either non-religious or subscribes to a minority religion such as Chundo Kyo.

Currency: The Won; C$ 1.00 = W601 (average, week ending September 27, 1996

What should you do in a business meeting in South Korea?

• Make appointments and don't forget to BE ON TIME!
  
  
• If you are giving a business card or a present, use both hands because using just one hand is considered disrespectful.
  
  
• When you are meeting someone, bow (not a huge, sweeping bow, just a little one. Easy enough?) Men shake hands (both hands again), but Korean women don't usually shake hands.
  
  
• Address Koreans by their title rather than their name. eg) Mr. President. Even if a woman is not married, but, she is over 30 years old, she gets called "Mrs." This is a sign of status.
  
  
• Bringing flowers and presents is cool (who doesn't like getting gifts?). If you go to a Korean home, remove those shoes!
  
  
• Do not talk or laugh loudly ie) avoid being annoying! If you feel the need to blow your nose in public....hold it. It is considered rude to blow your nose in a public place!

Some of this information was taken from the Information Series published by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. It is available in print format.