Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sojourner1]

I hunted around Namdaemun market yesterday to shop for imported goods such as taco shells and found the markets closed. I would guess that their supply has been disrupted on account of the goods being illegally obtained through AAFES on military bases. Maybe a bust? It's sad that the only way to buy American other than at Costco is through illegal sources. Like many Koreans and foreigners alike, I just want my fix of things like sloppy joe, taco seasoning, and over the counter medicines like Advil.

My questions are: Setting the few exceptions aside such as cheese, peanut butter, and Twix bars at Homeplus. Why don't any vendors other than Costco establish supply chains of legally imported American and other foreign goods to be sold in Korea's market places? There seems to be more demand than supply, but not an establish market that specializes in import goods. And if you had established legal import supply chains, you would have solid permanent based reliable stores or a specialized market place for import goods which would therefore further increase vendor sales of said products since everyone would know where to go shop similar to how Yongsan is the discount electronics market.

What are the barriers of trade here? Is it possible for an American or Canadian to broker import goods to Korean vendors in a legal manner?

I know America is exporting the least it ever since capitalism begun, but fact is, there seems to be some sort of trade barrier causing for Americans to not be able to export their goods except on eBay.com, despite many sole proprietor vendors being hungry for things to sell. It is obvious that American goods are in demand as Koreans buy/sell what they can get from AAFES.

[Roch]

Bump.

[Captain Corea]

Did you go underground?

You do know they close down every once in awhile right? Some weekends they close up shop (not sure of schedule).

[in_seoul_2003]

If you want stuff like Advil, Colgate/Crest toothpaste, taco shells, Kraft dinner and all that, Hanam supermarket is always an option.

CC is also right in that they do sometimes close up on weekends. Always on Sundays but also the occasional Saturday.

I only ever use to go there for one product. But since finding another, better place I've stopped going to Namdaemun all together. In truth, the place sucks.

[Slaps]

I think the reason that most stores don't stock lots of imported goods is because in the grand scheme of things there really isn't the demand for such goods, especially considering the import tariffs.

[Dev]

The imported goods market is closed on Sundays.

I seriously doubt it was closed down. Every time I go there it's fairly crowded. And the police...well, they're too busy standing around with shields protecting supermarkets from rioters.

[flakfizer]

Other than Hannam, Costco and Namdaemun, you might try looking at a Sweetspace for some items and the 2nd basement in the Doosan Tower (Doota) has quite a bit of random, foreign stuff.

[elliemk]

Is this a chain, or is there only one of them in Seoul? I went to their homepage, and it looks like there's only one. If there are more than one, does anyone have a list of where they are in Korea? Or can you direct me to that list on the net? Thanks.

[Ginormousaurus]

[flakfizer]

There is also a Sweetspace in COEX.

[elliemk]

I was actually referring to whether Hanam has other stores in Korea, since I won't be in Seoul. Duh for me for not being my normally fairly (mostly) precise self!

[uberscheisse]

the basement of doota at dongdaemun has a lot of the stuff that namdaemun import mart has. (edit - and by that i mean toiletries and booze. very few food items).

it doesn't have the weightlifting supplements tho, which is why i go there.