Korean Job Discussion Forums

Guri Guy · Joined: 07 Sep 2003 Location: Bamboo Island

Oops, double post.

Will they raise prices to actually do proper maintenance?

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

crosbystillsstash · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

When it happens the foreign companies will me blamed for manufacturing faulty materials. Ever tried to tell a Korean how to do something? I read somewhere that the company (French?) brought in to help on construction of the KTX tried to oversee standards but were not listened to.

I'll try to find the article. Basically they said it's an accident waiting to happen too.

buymybook · Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Location: Telluride

T-J · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae

Passions · Joined: 31 May 2006

You guys act like Korea is the only country with construction failures and corruption. Rolling Eyes

caniff · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: All over the map

bjonothan · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Location: All over the place

[quote="crosbystillsstash"]When it happens the foreign companies will me blamed for manufacturing faulty materials. Ever tried to tell a Korean how to do something? I read somewhere that the company (French?) brought in to help on construction of the KTX tried to oversee standards but were not listened to. [quote]

I was thinking the same thing. I was always worried when using the KTX trains. I just don't trust Korean workmanship when something is travelling that fast. Other countries have some problems like that too, but Korea has acknowledged that is a problem and now they have the "anjon jae il" signs to remind people to do a better job.

jinks · Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Location: Formerly: Lower North Island

I always fret about the lack of seatbelts on the KTX, especially when people have their drink trays down. A high speed crash with no seatbelt wouldn't be pretty, but people sliced in two by their seat trays definitely makes a bad thing worse.

roadwork · Joined: 24 Nov 2008 Location: Goin' up the country

[quote="bjonothan"][quote="crosbystillsstash"]When it happens the foreign companies will me blamed for manufacturing faulty materials. Ever tried to tell a Korean how to do something? I read somewhere that the company (French?) brought in to help on construction of the KTX tried to oversee standards but were not listened to.

FistFace · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:17 pm Post subject:

I was sitting in a bar with a friend in Itaewon speaking to this foreigner maybe three years ago. We started talking about what we were doing in Korea, and he says he's an engineer helping to build the KTX. This is a rough paraphrase of what he said:

That thing is a time bomb. Due to budget and time constraints, they're building it under specification. The tracks aren't made to handle those speeds. You'd never catch me riding that thing.

I can't remember the exact words, but he faulted the Korean side for the issues, citing their desperation to finish it as soon as possible, and at lowest budget.

I think we're starting to see the fruits of that discussion, and before you believe the spin Koreans put on this (foreign-caused problem) please remember exactly what I've posted here.

bjonothan · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Location: All over the place

[quote="roadwork"][quote="bjonothan"]

cruisemonkey · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:17 pm Post subject:

Korea... the land where nothing is level, square or plumb. How come there's never enough time to do it properly, but always enough time to do it twice? Wink

BreakfastInBed · Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Location: Gyeonggi do

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!