Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Cohiba]

1/ Probably the biggest reason is that Korea is literally an island.
That useless land mass called North Korea interupts all forms of trade.
Things that could be delivered by rail must be shipped or flown in.
Therefore Korea is similar to Hawaii where things are also very expensive.

2/ A small number of importers who use exclusive marketing agreements
to maintain a stranglehold on imports. An example of this is the market
for foreign cars. (although this is now changing)

3/ A distribution network that adds on an unreasonable margin when
delivering goods to retailers.

4/ Low demand equals high prices. Most Koreans are happy with a
bottle of soju, some pigs feet and a pack of smokes. They don't need
an ale from Wales and pate from France.

5/ Import taxes and tariffs. These are becoming lower, but currently
hover around 10-20% on a lot of food and drink.

6/ Declining or nonexistent FDI. Foreign companies do not set up and
operate in Korea. In fact, it is the opposite. Foreign capital is fleeing
this country in droves. For example, a company like Lays Potato Chips
may set up a factory in China. Therefore they escape import duties
and prices are low. On the other hand, Korea is at the bottom of the pack
in the OECD for FDI. FDI here is negative. These firms have no illusions
about the xenophobic and hostile attitudes Koreans have towards
foreigners.

[Stacy]

Or you are getting ripped off as usual.

[spliff]