Comments on: Does Korea Have a Low Quality of Life? http://rokdrop.com/2007/04/03/does-korea-have-a-low-quality-of-life/ Korea From North to South Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:27:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: GI Korea http://rokdrop.com/2007/04/03/does-korea-have-a-low-quality-of-life/comment-page-1/#comment-19906 GI Korea Tue, 03 Apr 2007 16:56:39 +0000 http://rokdrop.com/2007/04/03/does-korea-have-a-low-quality-of-life/#comment-19906 I think that Korea is handicapped by the fact it has the North Korean threat but really even despite this life is good within South Korea. Many of the OECD countries for example can support their elaborate welfare programs because they can piggyback off the US defense umbrella which the ROK doesn't have the luxury of doing. I think that Korea is handicapped by the fact it has the North Korean threat but really even despite this life is good within South Korea.

Many of the OECD countries for example can support their elaborate welfare programs because they can piggyback off the US defense umbrella which the ROK doesn't have the luxury of doing.

]]> By: usinkoera http://rokdrop.com/2007/04/03/does-korea-have-a-low-quality-of-life/comment-page-1/#comment-19736 usinkoera Tue, 03 Apr 2007 07:39:05 +0000 http://rokdrop.com/2007/04/03/does-korea-have-a-low-quality-of-life/#comment-19736 I guess it depends on whether you are looking at just the OECD nations to compare or the rest of the world too. Korea's society has a great advantage over many in the world, but though I haven't spent much time in any other OECD besides France, I'd say Korea's standard of living (at least as of 2002) is too low compared to the others - and for the reasons you mentioned... Koreans work themselves way too hard. And it isn't just the hours a week put in - it is the Confucianistic corporate/elders culture coupled with the Han and heavy drinking aspects. And they start the high-pressure meat grinder in the teen years with their hellish school system. It seemed to me it was tough being a South Korean. With all they have been through as a nation over the past 100 years.....and all they have accomplished ---- which is a heck of a lot........hopefully they will learn to relax more and enjoy the prosperity... ....maybe they need a whole lot of culture exchanges with France.... I guess it depends on whether you are looking at just the OECD nations to compare or the rest of the world too.

Korea's society has a great advantage over many in the world, but though I haven't spent much time in any other OECD besides France, I'd say Korea's standard of living (at least as of 2002) is too low compared to the others – and for the reasons you mentioned…

Koreans work themselves way too hard. And it isn't just the hours a week put in – it is the Confucianistic corporate/elders culture coupled with the Han and heavy drinking aspects.

And they start the high-pressure meat grinder in the teen years with their hellish school system.

It seemed to me it was tough being a South Korean.

With all they have been through as a nation over the past 100 years…..and all they have accomplished —- which is a heck of a lot……..hopefully they will learn to relax more and enjoy the prosperity…

….maybe they need a whole lot of culture exchanges with France….

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