Relationships, Rules, and Restaurant Visits: What You Need to Know When Dealing with the Public Sector in South Korea

When doing business with South Koreans, relationships play a crucial role. In South Korea, trust and collaboration are often built on personal connections — and Koreans go to great lengths to form strong bonds. This might include arranging airport pickups, giving gifts, or inviting you to lunch before a meeting or dinner later in the evening.

However, when public sector representatives are involved, the rules of the game change significantly…