Korean Job Discussion Forums

[KOREAN_MAN]

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]

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]

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]

[spliff]

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]

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]

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]

[ajgeddes]