Doing Business in South Korea

Syllabus of the Subject: Doing Business in South Korea.

Introduction to the Republic of Korea
South Korean Economy
Main sectors of the South Korean economy:
1. Shipbuilding
2. Semiconductors
3. Construction
4. Digital electronics
5. Cars
International Trade of Korea
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in South Korea
Doing Business in Seoul
Case Study: Business Opportunities in the provinces of South Korea
Lee Kun-hee - President of Samsung Electronics
Case Study: South Korean Companies
1. Hynix
2. Daehwa
3. Samyang
4. Daedeok
5. Samik
6. Valeo Pyeong Hwa
7. GM Daewoo
Africa-Korea Partnership
Introduction to the Korean language
Access to the South Korean Market
Business Plan for South Korea

The objectives of the subject “Foreign Trade and Doing Business in the Republic of Korea” are the following:

To analyse the South Korean economy and foreign trade
To evaluate the business opportunities in South Korea
To explore South Korea's trade relations with the country of the student
To know South Korea's Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)
To examine the profile of South Korean business people and companies
To develop a business plan for the South Korean Market

The Subject (e-learning) “Doing Business in South Korea” is part of the following Higher Education Programs (EENI- School of Business & HA University):

Professional Master's Program (e-learning): International Business, Asia, Emerging Markets, Pacific
Doctorate in Business in Asia

Doctorate and Master in International Business for the Korean Students

Course learning materials in or Corea Coree.

Credits of the subject “Foreign Trade and Doing Business in South Korea”: 2
Duration: two weeks

Sample of the subject - Doing Business in South Korea
Lee Kun-hee Buddhist Businessman

Description of the Subject (Doing Business in South Korea).

The Republic of Korea: The thirteenth largest economy in the World (by gross domestic product).

South Korean population: 49 millions of people
Language: Korean. There are about 75 million people in the World who speak Korean; Korean is the 13th most spoken language in the World
Borders of South Korea: Japan, China, Russia, and North Korea
Capital: Seoul
Area: 100,210 square kilometres
South Korea is a Presidential Republic
Independence of Japan: 1945
The currency of South Korean is the Won
Abolition of the Slavery in Korea: 1894

Religion in South Korea.

From the religious point of view, South Korea is more a “Western” than Asian Country
About 50% of the Koreans have no religious preference
30% are Christian (18.3% Protestant and 10.9% Catholic)
23% are Buddhists (10 million)
Other minority religions are Islam, Chondogyo (mixture of Buddhism and Christianity), Taoism, and Confucianism

South Korea belongs to the Buddhist Civilisation

Singapore-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

South Korean Economy.

The Republic of Korea (Asia) successfully transformed itself from a war-torn nation to the thirteenth largest economy in the World, backed by its leading industries and international trade. South Korea is the fourth largest economy in Asia.

The Republic of Korea has shown excellence in several sectors: shipbuilding, semiconductors, construction, digital electronics, and cars
The builders of South Korea also shine in the international scenario, especially in the construction market in Asia and the Middle East
Fourteen firms of South Korea made the Fortune Magazine's Global 500: Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung, Kookmin Bank LG, Hyundai-Kia Motors, SK, Samsung Life Insurance, Hanwha, POSCO, Korea Electric Power Corporation, KT, SK Networks and S-Oil
The Joint Ventures between Samsung and SONY and LG and Philips are two excellent examples of productive industrial partnerships in the LCD sector, while the takeover of Daewoo Motors by GM and that of Samsung Motors by Renault stand for success in the automotive industry
South Korea produces over 3.8 million vehicles every year, led by the five car makers of South Korea: Hyundai Motor, GM Daewoo, Renault Samsung Motors, Ssangyong Motor, and Kia Motors
South Korea is the home to seven of the top ten shipbuilders in the World, including Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co., STX Shipbuilding and Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction
The Republic of Korea (ROK) has built its position as a powerhouse regarding information technology (IT), backed by its large IT-related production and international trade, development of the world-leading technology
Samsung Electronics is the largest computer memory chipmaker in the World, and Hynix Semiconductor is No.1 DRAM and No.3 NAND Flash Memory Producer in the World
From air conditioners, microwaves, and computers to liquid crystal display screens, companies in South Korea have captured customers' hearts worldwide with better prices and advanced technology

Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea, is the economic, financial, and business centre.

The gross domestic product of Seoul was 193.7 billion dollars
If the metropolitan areas of the city are included, Seoul represents 47.7% of Korean GDP

International Trade of Korea.

South Korea is the eleventh largest international trader in the World with imports and exports accounting for 90% of the gross domestic product of South Korea
The Republic of Korea ranked tenth in the World regarding global export market share based on cumulative export
South Korea sells and buys from 220 countries worldwide with the People's Republic of China, Japan, and the United States as its largest trade partners
The main South Korean export markets are the United States, Canada, Brazil, the United Mexican States, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Japan, the People's Republic of China, Singapore, India, Australia, European Union (EU), the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and Saudi Arabia
The Port of Busan is the fifth-biggest container port in the World, having handled a throughput of 13,450,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit)