Korean Job Discussion Forums

princess · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia

Do any of you believe Korea to be a first world country? I think Koreans are fooling themselve if they think it is. I like Korea, and the lifestyle it gives me, more importantly....BUT IMO there is no way a place can be first world, when many people don't have clothes dryers, bathtubs, or ovens in their apartments. The poorest people in the states have 1 or more of these home creature comforts, usually. Also, the variety of food/clothing shops in Korea cannot compare to places like Hong Kong, Japan, or even Bangkok. For Thailand to be such a poor country, the variety there is much better. I love Korean food, too, but the variety in Hong Kong simply amazed me. I do know that most apartments in Hong Kong are boxes though, just like they are here. But, it is still more internationally minded.

indytrucks · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: The Shelf

princess · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia

indytrucks · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: The Shelf

Thing is though, all the apartments in my block are the same. Dryer, oven, jacuzzi bath all come standard. So there might be more people having those things than you think.

shaunew · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Location: Calgary

Depends who you are and what assets you have I guess. I have a 4 bedroom apartment put in a western style oven I have a washing machine dryer. and two bath tubs. I know some don't have these things but others have more then me.

princess · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia

huffdaddy · Joined: 25 Nov 2005

Do you have any idea what people in second and third world countries live like?

PeteJB · Joined: 06 Jul 2007

Let's see, a country with more apartments than sand on a beach.

I think your looking at this the wrong way. Many people in Korea still live the traditional lifestyle (an ever decreasing number) but that doesn't mean they are all poor. If you go to the UK, you'll see lots of tiny houses and places where people live in countless rows mashed together - Something you'll rarely see in the US. US houses are generally bigger, too. Does that mean all those people in the UK living in those box houses are poor compared to their US counterparts?

LuckyNomad · Joined: 28 May 2007

Personally, I think that a dryer would be a waste of electricity. Drying things out on the balcony is convenient and free.

I have a bathtub.

newton kabiddles · Joined: 31 Mar 2007

rocklee · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul

My house back home has a pool and court, front and backyard. As with just about everyone in the neighbourhood.

Is that first world? Wink

Privateer · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Location: Easy Street.

PeteJB · Joined: 06 Jul 2007

But, they are poor relative to the economy and situation of the entire country. In Korea, if you take into account every factor of society - Not having a washing machine doesn't mean they are poor. It's just relative to the current level of society.

UK apartments might seem poor to US standards.
Korean apartments might seem poor by UK standards.
Chinese apartments might seem poor by Korean standards.

And maybe, they really ARE worse off money wise, but that doesn't mean they are "third world" - It's just relative to the society.

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

Since when did not having an oven = not a first world country?

I might not be able to bake a cake in my apartment, but I have access to health care, have access to internet and other technologies, and from as far as I can tell, am not dying of malaria. So you know, I'm okay with not having an oven.

blade · Joined: 30 Jun 2007