Korean Job Discussion Forums

KOREAN_MAN · Joined: 01 Oct 2006

Most Koreans I've met consider South Korea as a "developing nation." This has been bothering me somewhat. I tell them Korea is actually a developed country, but they all shake their heads when I tell them so.

Do you think Korea is developed? According to the IMF, World Bank, and CIA, Korea has about the same GDP as Canada. I really don't see a lot of differences either between Japan and Korea, standard-living-wise.

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

Korea is a member of the OECD, which I believe is the definition of an economically developed country. Culturally, well .....

If you can't see the difference between Japan and Korea, I can't help you.

yesnoyesyesno · Joined: 28 Jan 2006

nothing in (south) korea sugguests that it is a developing country of any kind. there's water, electricity, decent salaries, not to mention consumer electronics ahead of most countries in the world. where do people get this developing country idea, it could a hold over from back when it was a developing country. but the most interesting is when koreans are not only convinced but adamant that their country is a developing country. one way that korea may still be like a developing country is a lot of people's social attitudes and behaviour. you just don't make comments about people (whether they are fat, or a different ethnicity, or too old or young or not married, etc.). but i know plenty of people in canada and usa who make comments like that as well, plus from what i've seen in the news, racism in europe is out of countrol (skinhead attacks, race riots in france because of racism, hatred of non-europeans). so who's trying to blame koreans for "backwards" thinking?

it's an interesting subject, but regardless, south korea should be considered a completely first world nation and due to the low crime rates and generally civilized behaviour i would consider it a model first world nation

IncognitoHFX · Joined: 06 May 2007 Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

IMHO, Bangkok is more developed than Seoul and it's ascetically pleasing....whilst Seoul looks like a hodgepodge of square sterile buildings not many w/out grime in the edges and corners.

Poemer · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Location: Mullae

South Korea is a developing country because the economy has not yet stabilized. No country is generally considered "developed" until the economy has settled at a sustainable rate of annual growth. Korea's economic growth has been fluctuating from between around 10-11% to 3% a year. No developed country's economy can typically make 10% gains a year. Until Korea's economy settles at a sustainable rate of growth, it will still be a developing country; a country that has not reached its plateau and still has a lot of room to grow and develop.

shaunew · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Location: Calgary

My wife tells me Koreans still want to be considered developing, because this way they do not have to give international aid or help others. Unlike Canada and America who give billions to poor nations. At one time Korea was on the recieving end of this.

Alyallen · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 3:15 am Post subject:

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

Also, I don't know why people always comment on Korea's low crime rate. Korea has a higher murder and manslaughter rate than the English speaking countries, except for the USA.

safeblad · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

I was thinking of starting this thread actually as the question has been in my mind recently.

I think that Korea is a developing country

In Jeju there is a strange situation of having some four star hotels near the sea front, immediately next to and behind these hotels are lodgings which look like shanty towns.... SO...there is still a long way to go. Of-course its no Mexico city or anything like that (dont bite my head off i have never been to Mexico city Very Happy

)

Korea is clearly still a developing country in terms of attitude, backwards attitudes still prevail towards foreigners etc.... for all the reasons so often stated as to why Korea isnt the hub of Asia, the same reasons apply to why it isnt a developing country.

And there is the same reason which will always be there, it was mentioned on another thread of the same subject many months ago.... Developed countries have proper toilets Smile

, these backwards people are still installing new squat toilets for gawds sake.

IncognitoFX has been in Korea long enough, his opinions are just fine by me.

Homer · Guest

Both.

Developing in certain areas and developed in others.

The economic growth argument is pretty accurate...the fluctuations in growth are an indicator of a country still in rapid development.

Jizzo T. Clown · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Location: at my wit's end

China=Developing

Korea=Developed

Japan/US=Wealthy

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Seoul is developed, but outside the city maybe less so.

peppermint · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 4:32 am Post subject:

I'd say Korea is still developing, but the process is pretty close to being complete.

I hate hearing Koreans use " but we're a developing country" as an excuse for unsafe practices though. The economy has developed enough that things like building codes and fire safety should priorities in new developments. Incompetent doctors should be able to be sued for malpractice, and the people should be able to expect better of their cops than what they have.
Koreans deserve better than that, but that's just my two cents