Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Cohiba]

I got back to Korea a couple of weeks ago from a one week
business trip to Munich. It was a real eye-opener. The biggest
thought I have is:

Europe is cheaper than Korea but the products and services
offered, in Europe, are MUCH higher in quality.

This is strange because Germans make a lot of money. Much more
than the average Korean. And yet, these suckers (Koreans) are
paying so much money for crap. I am mainly talking about food,
clothing and cars. The bottom model Mercedes in Germany is about
30,000 Euros. In korea it is about 2.5 times that price. Koreans
are getting burned! Who is scamming this money off the top?

I think Koreans are starting to pay a premium for their protectionist
government policies. Roh Mu-Hyun has the right idea about the FTA.
I say screw the farmers and give the average, urban Korean a break.
The philippines used to have the 2nd hottest Asian economy after Japan.
They adopted protectionist policies instead of free trade years ago and
look at them now. Poor as dirt.

Funny thing is, it is young, nationalist students who strut around singing
stirring songs about Korea who want to kill the FTA. I thought university
students had brains. No wait, I remember similar students in Canada
who opposed NAFTA when I was at school.

I guess youth must excuse stupidity

[R-Seoul]

[jaganath69]

Whilst I agree with you on the FTA issue, its interesting you use Europe as a counter-example. Europeans also pay through the nose to support idle farmers, many of whom grow sweet FA and get paid to do so.

[pest2]

Yeah, I dont think Europeans pay less at all, either. On 2-month long trip to Europe I completed about 4 months ago, I figured food prices to be about the same (Germany) or a little higher (France/Italy) than in Korea. Buying a Mercedes in Germany is cheaper than it is to buy such a car in Korea, but buying an average VW in Germany is about the same as buying an average Hyundai in Korea. VWs maybe be better cars than Hyundais, but each car produced and sold in its own country is about the same.
Korea's protectionist policies do not necessarily imply prices on all goods are higher. They imply that the selection of goods made reasonably available to Koreans must be limited only to goods produced in Korea. Sadly for Koreans, Germany just has a better car industry going on... Same goes for alot of electronics, sporting goods, and luxury items. In fact, from what I've seen, most goods produced in Korea generally suck compared to those produced in other places, but saying that is not saying the same thing as "it is more expensive in Korea".

Alternate transportation in Europe such as buses, trains, and planes is alot more expensive. 5 hour train ride in Korea: 40$. Same in Europe: 90$ Subway ride in Paris: 2.50$ same in Seoul: .90$

Housing/rent in Seoul may be about the same as in Paris per square foot, but consider that most Koreans live in little bread box apartments that are therefore usually cheaper.

Koreans dont spend as much because they dont earn as much so their quality of life is lower...

Koreans have that nationalistic value that allows them to sacrifice self pleasure and happiness so their country can "become as powerful as Japan and the US". So in the minds of Koreans, following the same path that brought economic strength to Japan is a good idea on a personal level... Does it work? Well, consider that the average montlhly wage for a Korean has increased about 2000% in the last 50 years...

[Roch]

[markhan]

[Gwangjuboy]

Public transport, housing, taxes, restaurants, and taxis are more expensive in the UK than Korea. Still, Korea isn't that far behind in terms of living costs and considering how little Koreans earn compared to their European counterparts I sometimes wonder how they live.

[brianthestrider]

My early impression is that the subway in Seoul, for example, beats the shit out of the underground in London in terms of service for as much as seven times less the cost! Eating out, etc. seems cheaper too. I must concede though that SE England (where I've been living) and Ireland (where I'm from) are propaby significantly much more expensive places to live than a lot of mainland Europe..

[essexboy]

I think the subway in London is better in some ways: in that a train will come every 4 minutes (usually) as compared to every 10 here.
I also agree with the quality thing. Europe has better quality food and cheaper clothes. I have seen designer clothes here being passed off for even more than i would usually find in London.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

While I completely agree about the quality of European goods I have to disagree about cost. For good quality stuff, yes, Europe is a bit less expensive. But for most mundane things Korea is far, far cheaper and allows people like me to enjoy a lifestyle I never could back home if I still wanted to save money.

[Gwangjuboy]

[Dev]

There must be a lot of tax on imported things here because the prices often don't make sense. 8,000 won for 25 Earl Grey tea bags? 32 Million won to buy a Honda Accord? 7,000 won for a pachage of Indian Insence (20 sticks)? 4,000 won for a 330 ml bottle of Guiness?

[SPINOZA]

G-boy and E-boy must've used the London subway on a good day. I got it on a bad day and almost missed my train from Euston, which would've made me fucking furious, when I ought to have been pleased to be home. I just made it. But still, severe delays on subways are piss poor stuff. Never seen it in Seoul.

Europe's fab, but the problem is you've gotta be independently on over $70,000 per annum to live there comfortably. Taxes, insanely high competition for property = considerable expense.

[Homer]

I lived in Berlin for a year and it is in no way cheaper than Korea when it comes to goods and services!

Taxes are also higher.

What is cheaper is realestate (but by all that much) and gas prices.

Food is on par with Korea except for certain fruits and veggies which are cheaper.

Goods are more expensive too.

Next..you try another major european city like say....Paris and compare prices...ouch...

Quality of life was better in certain respects however as there are more services offered to the population...but you pay through the nose for these.....

[Juregen]