Korean Job Discussion Forums

[atwood]

The volume of goods bought on overseas websites has gone from $250 million to $1 billion over the last four years.

And because Korean importers don't, for whatever reason, (Greed again comes to mind.) want to lower prices the government is stepping in to lower prices.

"Tech-savvy in particular prefer overseas online shopping to buying the same products in Korea for an arm and a leg." Preach it, brother!

From April 10 Joongang Daily.

[Chaparrastique]

[nicwr2002]

Shopping in electronic stores has to be the worst experience. Even if you tell the worker that you are just looking, they will still be on your heel. Then they will tell you such n such thing is on sale, and you ask why it is better than the more expensive item they just say, "Because it is cheaper."

[actionjackson]

My wife said something similar to this this morning. I guess they ran a story on the news about makeup being marked up about 300% or something.

[wooden nickels]

[crescent]

Yet Samsung and Hyundai are still allowed to charge much larger markups on their domestic sales then they do on their exported sales?

[wooden nickels]

[crescent]

[wooden nickels]

[Steelrails]

They have to find the fine line between lowering prices for consumers and protecting the jobs and infrastructure of importers and middlemen to guarantee employment. Cheap consumer goods are not the be all, end all of fiscal policy, but reform is definitely needed. Funny though, how people will bash the Bush administration, but move over here and they suddenly become as big a supporter of Republican economic policies as anyone. Yes, let's open up the economy to a flood of big box stores, cheap consumer goods from China, unbridled free-trade, a strong domestic currency, and low taxes. Crush the unions here, which drive up prices. What matters is cheap luxury goods for the (relatively) affluent! Let's lay off all those "useless" ajummas at Emart and all the extra workers they have. Surely this will have no bounce-back effect on us and the private education industry!

That being said, I think the worst part is that things seem so arbitrary when it comes to prices. Some fragrances are cheaper here than back home, others are at 3X markup. Why is a bottle of Jack Daniel's only 20% above back home, but a bottle of Jack Daniel's Single Barrel 70%? Same with electronics. I just wish there was more consistency. I think that's where the government and the consumers do have an interest in regulating these things as the markup rates should be consistent, not haphazard and in some cases, are clearly price-gouging.

[goreality]

Protecting importers is a horrible idea that will harm all of Korean society. Just think of what Koreans can do with the money they save instead of putting it into the pocket of greedy importers? Perhaps at the very least it will cause Koreans to import more and create more importer jobs?
It's not about protecting jobs because people are buying Samsung and LG products from abroad. The market is severely messed up and only someone with the economic knowledge of a grade school student would want to protect it....unless it's greasing their palms.

[happiness]

Im just happy to have so much more CHOICE than even 5 years ago, now the FTAs are done, korea is getting FLOODED with western goods, so young people are now raised on Hershey, Coke, Uniqlo, Jack Daniels, Apple, whatever. Right now, its just like the basic stuff from overseas, but soon, hopefully youll see more and more speciality importers, and then the price war will really start.

As far as Korea, I think its pretty cool.
I dont hear kids and young people saying Korean anything number one a lot any more. I hear curiousity about western AND Japanese stuffs and arts.

Small country is getting flooded with what the last generation tried to keep out. Good or bad, its happening now. Yeah, past 5 years or so, big upsweep.

[Steelrails]

I'm not saying we should protect importers, just that there is a whole lot more to this equation and just because you can get foreign, imported, luxury goods cheaper, doesn't mean that that's the best course of action.

I don't base my decisions on what would be best for the Korean people based on what would make my life as a short-term resident more convenient. In some cases yes, cheaper goods would be better, in other cases, somewhat higher prices are preferable if it maintains employment or encourages domestic consumption.

I don't think pursuing cheaper consumer goods at the expense of say, the manufacturing sector back home has been in the best interests of the working class and our nation as a whole, which makes me very wary of its prospects here.

But hey, lets make sure that Korean kids can get smartphones, Beats by Dre, and Diesel Jeans at a low price and that foreigners have cheap access to all their favorites from back home, after all that's what should be our guiding principle.

[Sister Ray]

[Jongno2bucheon]

Yeah i do have to agree with steel rails here.

Koreas health insurance and Hawaiis health insurance is better than what the mainland has come up with.

Koreas unemployment rate is like 3%

People have to make a living.

People who do it better, should be in charge. Most of you are here because the western way has shut you out if a job.