Korean Job Discussion Forums

[toonchoon]

... is this the way things have always been in Korea? I'm asking cos in the past 3 years, I have seen numerous changes here, and policies that were once changed, and then changed again, or even for the 3rd time before they went into effect.

A Korean told me that when people get promoted to new positions, in order to establish credibility, they change, or make up new laws, rules or regulations. most of the time, these don't need to make much sense, and if they're put off for a year or two, the next guy that gets promoted will probably cancel out these rules, which haven't taken effect, yet, and create his/her own set of new rules. this was explained to me as something that's kind of "required" of one to seem like they're successful in their new position, after the promotion.

is this just a bunch of rubbish, or is this somewhat true? looking to hear back from peeps that hopefully have some l-t life experience in Korea. it would definitely shine some light onto much of what seem to me (or many of us) as wasteful spending, and/or unreasonable expectations and regulations.

[Captain Marlow]

what he said sounds right... whenever he get new higher ups at my uni, they always try to suggest new things... this is usually good at first, then turns bad later on...

i have no idea if this is right with politics tho...

[sulperman]

Sounds about right to me, but at the same time....

These rules are in place for a reason. I tried to volunteer with kids when I went back home for a while ago to get some experience and something to throw on the resume. But my state required the same FBI check. Did I think it was annoying? Sure! Did it stop me from volunteering? Yes, only cause I had no time to get the check. Would I like the same checks to be in place for anybody teaching my future kids? Of course!

Obviously some rules are more valid than others, and they aren't all done in the exact way I would do them, but I tend to fall on the side of thinking most are a necessary annoyance, or at least are done with proper intentions, rather than a malicious attempt to keep the white man down.

You are right, it is often done the Korean way here, that is, the quick way. Over the long haul it ends up having the desired (and I think proper) effect, though in the shifty times, it does inconvenience a lot of people, due to lack of clarity and the resulting misunderstandings.


Edit- just realized that I assumed you were talking only about visa-related regulations, though looking back at your post it seems more general. sorry

[nukeday]

My uni-aged students used to complain (via essays with poor grammar) about changing university entrance/exam requirements. I guess their generation busted their asses off trying to memorize the exact format of Test A, and then Test B got dropped on them.

[oldfatfarang]

Things changeee here all the time. Everything changes. Korea is dynamic!

Personally, coming from a western managerial background - I think the constant changes here are just complete idiocy - but in Korea they seem to work out in the end. This because, Korea is a hierarichal society, where everybody unquestionably follows their superiors' commands. Even if the decision is dodgy, Koreans will make it work - to save their boss's face. Critical thinking and questioning (anything) just aren't options in Korean society.

That sort of system is never going to work in a western country. That's for sure.

[redaxe]

I've definitely noticed this working at a Korean corporation. They constantly rotate the managers around and nobody does the same management job long enough to actually gain any expertise at it, so they make superficial changes just to look like they're doing something and show that they're in control. Appearances are everything, especially in Korea and especially in the Korean business world.