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Korea has a really, really long way to go.
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Trinidad



Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 6:10 pm    Post subject: Korea has a really, really long way to go. Reply with quote

I picked up the "South China Morning Post" yesterday. Ninety-six pages.
About 2cm thick. A good 2-hour read. Then when I got to Korea I saw
the Korean Herald. It was like ten pages. They were also about the same
price.

I got the Post in Hong Kong. I was there with the Korean company I
work for. While there, my boss was marveling at the cultural diversety,
number of foreign businesses, nice cars, restaurants, cleanliness etc.
He said Korea will be the same very soon. I told him I don't think so.
Him being a reasonable guy,I told him why:

1/ ALL documents about housing, insurance, cellphones, healthcare
or any other thing MUST be bilingual. Korea: NOT

2/ The immigration in HK is fair to ALL. It doesn't matter if you are a
man or woman. If you want to immigrate to HK it is possble. (as an
aside to you English teachers, there is no "E2" visa in HK, you get a work
visa and then go out and do what you want where you want at any job
you want) Korea: NOT

3/ No discrimination. Example: I wanted to get roaming for my cell
before I left Korea so I went to the KTF counter and asked. They said
sorry I was a foreigner, Koreans only. Then they said I could rent a
roaming phone at another counter. So, I went there and asked. Sorry,
Koreans only was the answer again. I'm sure some Fortune 500 VIP
would be pleased with that. Korea: NOT

So, three simple things: Bilingual documents, fair immigration and no
institutional racism. Korea: NOT

Korea still has a long way to go. Maybe around 2109.
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roadwork



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

PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 6:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Interesting. What was your boss's response to all of those?
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SHANE02



Joined: 04 Jun 2003

PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 6:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

But Korea has the worlds 7th largest bridge, and many many foreign investment is coming to Jeju.
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djsmnc



Joined: 20 Jan 2003
Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 6:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, though Hong Kong was a British colony for many years and has been a major tourist destination for at least half of that time. Cross into the rest of China and you'll be fussing that Korea is way ahead.
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youtuber



Joined: 13 Sep 2009

PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 7:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yup. Korea is deceiving. When we first get here, we are all wide eyed and impressed with the big tv's on the subway. You get the impression that this is a well-developed country.

It takes a couple of years to live here to really see what limited rights we really have.

That's why a long-term stay in Korea is very difficult-unless you get married. Either way, I feel very helpless here when things go wrong-there is nowhere to turn for help.

We will always be considered guests and nothing more.
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freethought



Joined: 13 Mar 2005

PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 7:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

djsmnc wrote:
Yes, though Hong Kong was a British colony for many years and has been a major tourist destination for at least half of that time. Cross into the rest of China and you'll be fussing that Korea is way ahead.


Is this intended as a defence of Korea? If so, it doesn't apply. The OP's boss didn't say soon Korea would be like mainland China. He said soon it would be like Hong Kong. So it doesn't matter if HK was a british colony, and American colony or a colony from outer space.
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Joe666



Joined: 19 Nov 2008
Location: Jesus it's hot down here!

PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

youtuber wrote:
Quote:
It takes a couple of years to live here to really see what limited rights we really have.


A COUPLE OF YEARS!!! That's being much to kind to the notion that Koreans can hide the obvious. 6-9 months tops!!
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Trinidad



Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

roadwork wrote:
Interesting. What was your boss's response to all of those?


My boss is first and foremost a pragmatist. He loves Korea but also
realizes it has many problems. If these problems are solved, then it
will be good for business. So, he is all for it.
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Old Gil



Joined: 26 Sep 2009
Location: Got out! olleh!

PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 11:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is Korean culture. You must understand. You MUST.
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pugwall



Joined: 22 Oct 2006

PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 11:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

To be fair Hong Kong does set a pretty high bar to reach. It is a first class place in every way and the government are totally pragmatic in making it the best possible business environment to continue its success in an ever-changing world.
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thurst



Joined: 08 Apr 2009
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 12:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

the 3 things listed in the OP would be nice, but they really have little or nothing to do with korea becoming a major international destination on par with hong kong.
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djsmnc



Joined: 20 Jan 2003
Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 12:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There's only one place that can be on par with Hong Kong and that's Hong Kong, because there's only one Hong Kong. Other places are their own place. If you want a place like Hong Kong, then why not go to Hong Kong? Wankers
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djsmnc



Joined: 20 Jan 2003
Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 12:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

...and that goes for your boss too, OP!
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Joe666



Joined: 19 Nov 2008
Location: Jesus it's hot down here!

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 1:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

djsmnc wrote:
Quote:
There's only one place that can be on par with Hong Kong and that's Hong Kong, because there's only one Hong Kong. Other places are their own place. If you want a place like Hong Kong, then why not go to Hong Kong? Wankers


Quote:
...and that goes for your boss too, OP!


I believe the main point of the OP's post was the reference his boss made about Korea being on par with Hong Kong in the future. I guess it's wishfull thinking on his bosses part?
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djsmnc



Joined: 20 Jan 2003
Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 1:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Joe666 wrote:
djsmnc wrote:
Quote:
There's only one place that can be on par with Hong Kong and that's Hong Kong, because there's only one Hong Kong. Other places are their own place. If you want a place like Hong Kong, then why not go to Hong Kong? Wankers


Quote:
...and that goes for your boss too, OP!


I believe the main point of the OP's post was the reference his boss made about Korea being on par with Hong Kong in the future. I guess it's wishfull thinking on his bosses part?


Exactly, which is why he needs to go to Hong Kong too!
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