Korean Job Discussion Forums

Joe Thanks · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Location: Dudleyville

What does the peanut gallery think about this?

I know some reasons that will "help" it: less baby-faced GI's causing trouble

but

The cons: Serious business dips unless they reinvent the place as a happening foreinger night spot - i. e. polish it up a bit and make it the Kangnam for foreigners.

With serious business dips come businesses closing, quality dropping at places that were upscale, unemployment, etc.

I imagine Itaewon will turn into another quiet corner of Seoul and Hongade will surge with nightlife - and the problems therein. Hongdae was hoppin' when I left, but maybe soon it will be HOPPING - because it'll be the only decent place left in Seoul for nightlife.

Thoughts?

With the massive deporation of 3D's, redeployment of US troop throughout the nation and out of the nation, etc.: South Korea is going through an interesting period right now.

Cheers,

Joe

indytrucks · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: The Shelf

As much as expats might like to think they are a major contributor (or not) to Itaewon's business, the fact is the majority of dollars made in Itaewon's shops, restaurants and pubs come from the military or DoD civilians posted at Yongsan. Once the Yongsan Post moves, I reckon it's sianara to a good part of Itaewon.

Whatever will Gecko's do? * sniff, sniff *

osangrl · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Location: osan

GECKOS will prevail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

indytrucks · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: The Shelf

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

Betting a lot of you guys will be gone from Korea before Yongsan is re-located to pyongtek.

So chill, and worry about it the day it happens, not years before it happens.

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

guess this is my cue..

ok.. itaewon.. well if military is deployed which I dont it will.. I mean they are constructing youngsan base to make it more improved, building a over pass, building more things on base making it better and more confortable to live for the 7000 troops living there..
I dont see them spending hundreds of millions of dollars just so the korean corrupt politicians can a chuck of youngsan and build apartments and make billions!! it aint gonna happen!!
they have been talking about for decades! its always just talk!!

the koreans who are renting out houses to the officers, which the military pay at 4million - 15 million a month! you think they will get even 30% of that one they go?? NO!!
military spending is huge! ok if the boyz left itaewon and the koreans came in to shop might be the same! many koreans dont like to come to itaewon for many reasons.. but if The Won became a korean Edae! then they will come!!
the bars will cater to more Koreans! maybe a 50/50 split it will be a kinda novelty for koreans..
many bars will lose business unless they can revamp their styles to cater for the other foreigners and koreans coming to town to party..
The HILL!!! UN club!! King CLUB, Seoul PUB, geckos 3 alleys and others..
some will be able to survive on the businessmen and teachers etc...
but many others will be bombed! just remember 9/11 Lockdown!! those bars were DEAD!!!
its funny when the boyz are ojn lock down.. the teachers and othe rforeigners return to ITAEWON!!
so maybe we will find ourselves returning to Itaewon if they go.. new bars will open. and it will be another Hongdae! and if foreigners can own these bars,, maybe we will SEE SOME DECENT BARS FOR ONCE@!!
hongdae is so LAMMMEEEEEE!!! good for korea but come on!! put some of the money back into your business! FOR GOD SAKE!!! liek you dont make enough!! ok off topic ooopppss...

so yeah! the boyz are not going anywhere.. and IF they DO!! OSAN will be off the HOOK!!!!
open a bar out there.. you will make some bread!!
itaewon will change!! but then again!! korean economy is very unstable right now and many people are predicting a crash again!! so I dont know if they can afford this.. us military pay a lot of rent for the land.. and give alot of money the youngsan community and seoul... if the boyz leave.. the osan mayor will be happy...

Joe Thanks · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Location: Dudleyville

Ryst Helmut · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2003 10:17 pm Post subject: Already discussed

Already discussed...

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?p=79870&highlight=#79870

Still stand by what I said....trickle down effect, Itaewon (if indeed a LARGE portion of US DoD workers transfer to Pyeongtaek) will become much less (in foreigner "friendly" terms) than it is today.

Shoosh,

Ryst

Joe Thanks · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Location: Dudleyville

Thanks for the link,

Joe

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

The housing rates make me kind of curious too.

I'm sick of hearing Koreans say, "Korea pays too much money for the US to be here." They never take into account the ridiculous housing rates paid by military here.

The US pumps a lot more money into the economy than the Koreans realize.

I want the troops to leave.

Joo Rip Gwa Rhhee · Joined: 25 May 2003

land prices in Itaewon will go up if the foreigners leave not only the GI's. It is in the middle of Seoul.

Joe Thanks · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Location: Dudleyville

Well, it ain't happening. More Korean media mangling:

http://www4.usforceskorea.org/en/bbs/view.php?id=press&no=48

Still, interesting to hear folks' opinions on it.

Cheers,

Joe

osangrl · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Location: osan

I just moved to Osan before or if this happens! And got the best job here.

Also, i have asked from an inside source about the whole "if they are moving, why build the overpass etc etc...." And i was told because USFK is given a specific amount of money (budget) each year, and if they don't spend the money, then it is decreased significantly. So they just spend it so in the future when they need it they won't have a low budget to deal with.