Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mashimaro]

"In the west, we tend to put top value on various
abstract concepts such as honesty, integrity, the company,
or the nation. We may not like to admit it, but we sacrifice
relationships through this value system. In Korea the top
value is placed on the inter-personal: people related to you,
people from your hometown, people from your school,
people with whom you work - whatever the interpersonal
connection may be."

He goes on to say a korean will prioritise loyalty over
honesty whereas westerners value honesty first.

"I think it's this polar opposite value system that Westerners
not only have a hard time grasping, but a hard time accepting."

Dr. Horace Underwood the third (1917-2004) former
Professor Emeritus and President of the Board of Directors
of Yonsei University. He lived in korea for 71 of his 86 years.

quote from 'Faces of Korea' by Richard Harris

[peppermint]

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

[yemanja]

The perfect example is the kindergarten class reunion! Can you imagine this in most places in the west?

[funplanet]

Peppermint makes an interesting point, and I agree....the problem I have seen with this is that a Korean will stay in a relationship with someone (friend, spouse, etc) while that person lies, cheats, and steals continously often leaving said person in a miserable relationship because of the sense of loyalty....

I would prefer letting a relationship go if there was no honesty or integrity on his/her part...loyalty can only go so far...even in a family (but, I suppose, one should do everything possible to bring the other person around)

[Zyzyfer]

[mindmetoo]

I always thought the key to understanding Koreans was to accept Koreans don't accept a basic rule of physics. When two solid objects meet in space, they don't pass through each other. Koreans, it seems, have this belief that solid bodies act more like a gas, and they put this theory to the test daily on subways and elevators...

[Grotto]

back to the OP

My question is: How can you be loyal to someone who is dishonest?

I still have many friends from high school but am I friends with everyone I went to high school with? Hell no! I am still friends with the ones who were good people, I am not saying they are all saints but they are all good people.

[manlyboy]

It's curious that nowhere in the Bible does it say, "Thou shalt be honest". Historically speaking, honesty is one of our younger virtues.

[kangnamdragon]

[manlyboy]

[weatherman]

It is very true that in Korea it is your network that counts. Having good connections brings about success in all aspects of life in Korea. The only issue I have with all of this is that we as foreigners are supposed to play honestly and have all the connections too, both honest and dishonest. We play both games here and are always guessing which game the locals are sizing us up with. How to play? Be honest to yourself.

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

This focus on networks and personal loyalty over honesty is what allows Korean society to remain so closed to westerners, and also what holds them back from being a truly modern player on the world stage.

[Swiss James]

[cheeky monkey]