Korean Job Discussion Forums

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

I think today is the start of Korea's plan to phase in a street name, house number system. I think the idea is by 2016, the old Japanese style lot system will be dead and buried. What odds you giving for this plan to work out?

I really, really hate the current system. Addresses are pointless unless you're a postie or a cop. The only up side is one does feel like Admiral Perry every time you actually follow a cryptic map and locate the damn place. The most mundane journey leaves one feeling a sense of accomplishment.

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200704/kt2007040419450711970.htm

you mean this? My bet is that no one will ever start using the new addresses and in 2011 they will throw out the idea altogether, and go back to "traditional korean way." Its such a terrible system, but I can't imagine all the offices in Korea ever getting it together enough to change over.
I remember when I was about 10, our county changed everyone's address when tehy implemented 911 (something about duplicate address problems that had to be corrected). It went quite smoothly. They prepped everyone at school, with flyers in te mail, everywhere. No problems. What are the chances of unified, thought out effort like that happening here?

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

TiGrBaLm · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Location: Hubcap of Asia

2016?

I think they got the year mixed up, try 6102

Chris2007 · Joined: 20 Mar 2007

But at some point they changed the letter system in the alphabet to make it more usable, correct? If it met with success then maybe the street system change will take root too.

bixlerscott · Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Location: Near Wonju, South Korea

How on Earth do delivery boys find an address in a commingled confusing place with the worlds' most dangerous traffic like Korea??? A real big mystery to me, but I see em' doing it everyday. Only Koreans know how Korea works and then it's all a big cloud to many. Apparently, what they got in place here works for them. I am not one to tell openly them it's backward, wrong, ghetooish, or a bit trashy. Of course, I have my opinions that I keep to myself that Korea is rather foul, but beautiful at the same time. Guess, I see why so many foreigners have a love/hate relationship with Korea.

* Addresses? It's never going to be designed where foreigners can easily navigate and find what they need or where to go in a practical and efficient manner. They are not going to make a logical address system or way of doing business. Fat chance.