Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cmxc]

A piece from the JoongAng Daily highlights a number of popular bars and clubs in Korea that have explicit policies turning away foreign patrons.

Is such discrimination consistent with Korea's attempts to attract more foreign tourists and immigrants?

If someone opened a bar or club and had policies that explicitly denied Korean patrons, would that be OK with Korean laws?

Reasons given for excluding foreign customers include:
'The owner said he put up the sign because his bar was being overtaken by foreigners. He said it was difficult for him to interact with non-Korean customers because he couldn’t speak English and added that Korean patrons don’t enjoy a multicultural vibe. “You know, the drinking cultures of Koreans and non-Koreans are too different. They don’t mesh well together,” he said.'

and

“It is discrimination,” admitted the manager, who said the ban came into effect after “too many incidents of rowdy foreigners who start fights and sexually harass women.”


Discrimination flows freely at bars across Seoul:
http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2988812

[Fox]

[le-paul]

It would be good if the world were aware of this kind of prejudice.
Whether its right or wrong is of course debatable, however in light of Koreas drive to encourage tourists, I think people ought to be informed of what to expect when they arrive here.

Infact, its a bit offensive when Koreans want to offload their cars, electronics and kimchi on the world and make money from an international market, but behave like this in their own country toward foreigners - especially considering most of us were invited here in the first place.

[cam83]

It happened in Manhattan not so long ago with club Circle http://observer.com/2013/06/korean-only-club-to-pay-snubbed-patrons-20k-in-discrimination-fines/

The difference is that the US has law in place that are more often than not, enforced. In Asia I have found this isn't the case.

Only last year Koreans were banned from using certain hotel resorts in Bali due to complaints about their noise and lack of consideration to other patrons (I think there was even a thread on here about it).

I doubt that any foreigner who has an understanding Korean culture and some of the xenophobic attitudes on display is surprised.

[r2b2ct]

Yeah, I've seen signs like that several times in Korea. I've also been denied entrance to places with no sign, and they openly stated that it was because I am a foreigner. On the flip side, I have seen places that let foreigners in for free or reduced cover. Haven't run into a foreigner only place but my mind wouldn't be blown.

That article of the club in NYC is hilarious though. No surprise it was a Korean club.

[Steelrails]

The only time I think its okay for those bars to discriminate is if they are engaged in illegal activity. That's understandable if your local mafia-hooker-business room bar has things like shady construction deals and prostitutes flowing through it.

But as far as normal cocktail bars and clubs, we should get a list going for consumer's sake.

And yes, there are "No Korean" bars in Korea. Though those usually involve illegal activity as well.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

There was a foreign bar here in my town with a sign saying along the lines of "this bar is for foreigners." I don't think they ever turned away Koreans but the sign was there at the door.

The bar and sign were there for years (until it closed down).

[cam83]

I guess I'm a little torn about the discrimination here sometimes though... like when some club/bar/store gives free entrance/discount to foreigners I have seen it as a plus and just pay for my gf (or the Korean I'm with) and they don't seem to care and often see it as a cool thing.

But then you have the foreigner-only taxis - which makes me a little uncomfortable (not 100% sure why) so I refuse to take those taxis.

I have only heard of the non-foreigner thing in Hongdae really (though I'm sure it happens in other places).

[Mr. Pink]

[wanderkind]

[Fox]

[Okie from Muskogee]

[tob55]

A real problem at some haunts when you have Korean dual citizenship and they attempt to deny entrance to you. I had it happen a time or two since receiving my citizenship last year and a simple call to the local cop shop brought the authorities there. They asked my what I wanted, and I said "I want to go in and have a drink." The owner said, "no way" to which the cops responded, if you deny entrance to this Korean citizen we will have to shut down your business. He relented and let me in. I wasn't trying to make trouble, but I was trying to make a point. Sometimes the people business owners least expect to be 'Korean' are the people who show up at their doorsteps.

[Mr. BlackCat]

[Mr. BlackCat]