Lifestyle in Korea
- Karen Grace Pascual, Jun 9, 2004
Its capital is a soul (Seoul) in Asia.
It provided the landscape for the Endless Love Series.
And it comes to mind when the name Sandara pops in.
If you guessed Korea, then you are … correct!. To the general Filipino
public this is what South Korea is but to others, Korea is a country to
open a larger window of opportunity for the Filipino worker. POEA has
announced during May the registration for Employment Permit System in
Korea. This is to increase transparency in the process of sending
Philippine workers to the Republic of Korea. In light of this, many people
will be given a chance to work in this country and possibly succeed.
This edition of Country Profile aims to give a glimpse of the lifestyle an
OFW will come face to face with if he/she gets lucky enough to work here.
Please remember that this is merely a brief overview of what to expect in
the land of the morning calm.
Fast facts
Capital: Seoul
Language: Korean
Religion: Shamanic, Christian, Chondogyo and Chrisitian
Population:47,470,969
Currency: Won
Government
Korea is a democratic republic with power centralized in an executive
president. Regional autonomy has been established in 1995. Administrative
districts include 1capital city, 6 metropolitan cities and 9 provinces
with 72 cities and 92 counties. The president of South Korea is Roh Moo-hyun
who has recently won against an impeachment case filed against him by the
National Assembly for breaking an election law.
Geography
Korea is located on the Korean Peninsula, which spans 1,100 kilometers
north to south. The Korean Peninsula lies on the northeastern section of
the Asian continent, where Korean waters are joined by the western-most
parts of the Pacific. The peninsula shares its northern border with China
and Russia. To its east is the East Sea, beyond which neighboring Japan
lies. In addition to the mainland peninsula, Korea includes some 3,000
islands. Korea encompasses a total of 222,154 square kilometers, Some 45
percent of this area, or 99,000 square kilometers, is considered
cultivatable area, excluding reclaimed land areas.
Climate
Korea’s climate consists of our seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.
January is the coldest month with the mean temperature ranging from -5
degrees to 5 degrees Celsius. (You may have an idea how cold just by
watching Endless Love 2)Annual precipitation is about 1,500mm in the
central region. Out of 28 typhoons that occur in Western pacific annually,
2 or 3 of these approach the Korean Peninsula from June through September.
Economy
Over the past four decades, Korea has enjoyed an average economic growth
rate of 8.6 percent a year and has emerged as the world's 11th largest
trading nation. In less than two generations, the nation has established
itself as one of the world's leading shipbuilders and manufacturers of
electronics, semiconductors, and automobiles. These achievements enabled
the country to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development in 1996.
An export-oriented economic development strategy contributed greatly to
the overall economic transformation of Korea. Based on the strategy, many
successful development programs were implemented. As a result, Gross
National Income (GNI) increased to $474 billion in 1997, with its per
capita GNI soaring from $87 to $10,307.
Major import items included industrial raw materials such as crude oil and
minerals, and general consumer products and foodstuffs, as well as
machinery, electronic equipment and transportation equipment.
Money
Korean banknotes are issued in the following denominations: 1000, 5000,
and 10000 Won. Smaller values are issued as coins, ranging from 1 Won to
500 Won.
P1= 0.0479 KRW
Cost of Living
In general the capacity to save money is very high with your average costs
being about 25-30% of your income, for daily living, eating, utilities and
transport. Although at the big parts of the cities, some prices are much
higher.
Transportation
Korean transport is efficient and reasonably priced. You can take the
subway, taxi or bus which are very cheap. Seoul has one of the most modern
and largest underground subway systems in the world. Extensive and
inexpensive rail, air and road services mean that any travel around Korea
is easily undertaken. The average time to travel from the top of Korea to
the bottom is 5 hours by car. Generally the train and express bus systems
are extremely reliable, regular, cheap and comfortable.
Food
Of course, when food and Korea are mentioned in one sentence, you get to
think of ‘kimchi’ and bulgogi.
Kimchi is a fermented vegetable dish allowing long storage. It is eaten
together with rice and can be paired with all other meals. A sumptuous
Korean meal often consists of a warm bowl of soup or stew, and a good
helping of mixed vegetables. Korean foods are usually stir-fried, boiled
or blanched, steamed broiled, or pan-fried with vegetable oil.
With their meals, Korean rarely drink anything but a little water or
poricha (barley tea). They also have a wide variety of traditional wines
liquors which are classified into five categories: yakju, takju, fruit
wines, medicinal wines and soju.
Business
For the Filipino who have been exposed to the Western culture of doing
business, one might take some time (or might adjust well) in getting used
with the Korean attitude. Here are some of them
Koreans are more
into last minute fixings than long term planning.
Relationships are
far more significant than contracts
Koreans are great
negotiators and doesn’t look at things as absolutes.
Communication
problems are more likely to occur
Miscellaneous
It is advised that as a foreigner you should stock up on deodorants as the
Koreans generally, don’t use deodorants. Some shops like international
brand, Body Shop sells deodorant but is very costly.
Koreans generally don't use Western-style sheets. If you require them for
your comfort, you'll have to bring your own.
Useful Phrases Worth Practicing
Hello : an-nyeong-ha-se-yo
Honorific or polite greeting : an-yong-ha-shim-nikka
Answering the phone greeting (like hello) : yobo-sayo
Thank you very much : tae-dan-hi kam-sa-ham-ni-da
I'm sorry : mi-yan-ham-ni-da
How much is the fare? : yo-geum-i eol-ma-im-ni-ka
What time is it? : myeot-si-im-ni-ka
That was a quick and light session on the reminders and stuff you need to
remember in living in Korea. The Philippine Embassy in Korea is located at
9th Floor, Diplomatic Center 1376-1 Seocho 2-dong, Seocho-ku, Seoul, with
the telephone numbers: (822) 577-6147; 571-6147; 574-6148. Our ambassador
is Mr. Aladin G. Villacorte.
We want to remind you that if you still want to register for the EPS to
Korea, Public Employment Services Office (PESO) and Employment Promotion
Division in DOLE offices are going on until June 30, 2004.
To know more about Korea’s EPS, check out our recent article, POEA’S Q & A
On Korean Employment Permit System Or check out POEA’s website at
www.poea.gov.ph and see the advisories posted.
