Doing business in South Korea can be challenging for Westerners; a lot of aspects and differences in cultures have to be taken into consideration. This research seeks to explore the best practices in South Korean business relations that would help to be on the same page with Koreans.

Art by Aadil Sharif.

Keep the partner posted to show your respect 

• Constantly keep in touch, share updates, and take an interest in the activities of partners.
• Make sure to send follow-ups.

Avoid sensitive topics

• It is forbidden to be aggressive.
• Avoid name-dropping when talking about competitors. 
• Do not discuss finances and future plans outside of official negotiations. Partners may feel uncomfortable if you do this because sensitive information can be considered gossip.

Be polite in terms of communication

• Communicate as politely as possible; use professional Korean instead of spoken.
• Koreans don't like to say no, so rejection can be masked. Pay attention and read between the lines.

Answer quickly, but don’t be pushy

• Replying as soon as possible is a feature of good service.
• Many Koreans check their email about every 10 minutes.
• Koreans don’t like pressure in communication. It may be okay to send a warm reminder once, but too many emails or catch-up call requests would not be good.

Heita Miyoshi, Co-Founder and CXO | H2 Interactive, Inc.

Show specifics and speak numbers

• During the negotiation process, it’s important to provide some tried-and-true cases of successful partnerships with other companies. 
• Any previous cases have to be presented in facts and figures.

Prove your expertise and impress partners, but embrace the Korean market’s uniqueness

• Koreans need to make sure that their partners know the market inside and out — that they’re capable of solving any potential problem. Try to impress Korean partners with your excellent knowledge of the Korean market.
• Koreans cherish their country’s identity and their market’s distinctiveness. They don’t appreciate when foreigners act as if some solution that worked in other regions would work in Korea.

Eric Lee, Business Development Lead, APAC | Xsolla

Localize properly to be a reliable partner

• Professional Korean localization is very important. A clumsy translation undermines the trust in a partner.
• Localization must be done in professional Korean, not in everyday language.
• Always check the translation with a native speaker.

Jayden Lee, Regional Director, APAC | Xsolla

Reveal all 8 tips to be successful in South Korea in full PDF:

4. Use networking skills — personal connections can open any door
5. Follow the rituals
6. Hire locals
7. Provide top-quality service
8. Bonus facts about cultural peculiarities in South Korea