Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pkang0202]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_patents

http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-top-ten/most-patent-registering-countries.html

http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-top-ten/world-top-ten-patents-granted-countries-map.html

http://internationaltrade.suite101.com/article.cfm/most_inventive_countries

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/08/technology/08iht-patents.4520228.html

http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/aug/04/slide-show-1-worlds-10-most-innovative-nations.htm#contentTop

http://graphics.eiu.com/PDF/Cisco_Innovation_Complete.pdf

South Korea is in the top 5 in most metrics. In the top 15 in all metrics. So, lets put an end to the "myth" that Koreans only copy technology and never invent anything of their own.

[chellovek]

Somewhat true, man, I agree with what you're saying.

Though if you've ever watched programmes like Dragons Den on the BBC, you'll see that people don't half patent rubbish. So going on the number of patents per country is a little misleading unless we sat down and read what all the patents are for.

[crisdean]

Just because you have the patent on something doesn't mean you invented. Mr. Alexander Graham Bell meet Mr. Elisha Gray. Who invented the telephone? who knows, but Bell was the first to specifically patent it.

[curiousaboutkorea]

Well, I don't think many say they only copy technology. They copy it and then improve/alter it. Therefore,one can have lots of patents. What South Korea lacks is truly original inventions.

[flakfizer]

I don't think patents mean that much. I can hardly remember the last time I saw a US commercial for a product that didn't use the term "patented." "It's the closest shave you'll ever get thanks to its patented lift and cut technology!"
As a poster already mentioned, many patents are small improvements or adjustments made to already existing items. Is there a patent for the "kimchi refrigerator?" My guess is that there is.
Instead of looking at patent lists on the Net, I just look out my window at the cars parked along the street and the neighboring buildings. I don't see a lot of originality there. True, it is quite possible Korea made many improvements to buildings and cars that are internal that I cannot directly observe. Korea obviously makes a lot of small parts like chips and semiconductors and such, but I think many people just look around at the more visible and judge from that.

[pkang0202]

The other links that don't mention anything about "patents" also consider South Korea to be one of the most innovative countries.

I'm sure those links won't change the minds of the naysayers who refuse to acknowledge that Korea DOES have originality and innovation.

[The Gipkik]

How South Korea--or Singapore for that matter--is innovative is left hanging in the air. Apparently it is correlated with patents and patent pendings. From reading the links, it is pretty clear that "innovative" is being used as something of a business and economic shibboleth here and not defining the nation in truly creative terms. It's just a fancy word to push a product.

This is not to say that S. Korea doesn't have highly creative people. Of course they do. That's what people do.

[laguna]

Funny you mention this

I gave my brightest Korea students a homework assignment a few months back. They were to name one major invention from Korea.

Not a single one could name anything.

[curiousaboutkorea]

[mayorgc]

of course Koreans are inventive/original, it's just that other countries do it better sometimes.

I've worked in an IP lawfirm before, not all the patent applications are that impressive.

[cisco kid]

I know firsthand that chaebol have huge problems getting their engineers to think outside the box.

[BoholDiver]

Think about actual new inventions, not small changes. Name anything that Korea invented, other than a food item.

1 A water clock. Skippedy doodah.
2. Turtle ship. The admiral still got killed.
3. Metal printing press. Arguable.

Anything more?

[The Gipkik]

It might not be quite fair to go back to the distant past to pull out inventive moments for Korea. A few hundred or thousand people that comprised the intelligentsia or the creative community back then against a tidal wave of serfs or indentured slaves isn't giving the country a chance. How about inventions that matter in the past 25 years? That might be more accurate. Thing is, that might be tough for most countries to address. Then you get into the problem of emigres in some countries like the USA getting Nobel prizes. It gets complicated.

[bluelake]

[Junior]