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The New Korea An Inside look at South Korea's Economic Rise

By Clark Isaacs  

When two journalists tackled a topic like "The New Korea," they developed a more readable story than what a historian would write about Korea. It is interesting, factual, and includes what Howard Cosell liked to term 'prognostication' about the future. Normally textbook images of Korea seem to center around the war between the people living in North Korea and South Korea emphasizing the relationship between both nations and the United States during the Korean War of the 1950's.

The key element throughout this sojourn into South Korea's standing among the world economic powers is the relationship of history and modern day companies in the development of products which are not only gaining a foothold in worldwide competition, but in many cases are now showing they are leaders in quality. An economic explosion is happening in Korea which is transforming how business is conducted. Old traditions are examined, new ways of management style are being introduced, and the result is a dynamic growth in product recognition through sales.

LG is a major brand recognized today as a quality product in electronics and appliances, including washing machines, air purifiers, mobile phones and air conditioners. Its lauded products started from a company which was only known as a manufacturer of "Lucky" toothpaste. Kim and Jaffe point out that through innovation this company redesigned itself with a shift in management policies which had been historically dominated by tradition and Asian culture. Managers in the past had achieved lofty positions because of age and the respect that came with it. Their decisions were not challenged. The change is that managers in their 60's are edged out by younger thinking replacements. Decisions were questioned and those things which had been accepted in the past as gospel were now re-examined.

A good example is the LG washing machine. A team of the top engineers and designers were told to perform TDR. "Tear Down and Replace" was the new slogan, take the machine apart and determine how to make it better, even to the tiniest screw! The result was a washer which aided the user by allowing clothes to sit, after cycles were completed, in a steam environment which also rotates the drum so clothes will not wrinkle if left too long before placement in a drier.

Another is the Hyundai automobile. It was the first car to have a 100,000 mile or 10 year warranty. This was an innovation by a Korean company which drove Detroit manufacturers to re-examine their policies and change.

There are many examples of products and how they gained recognition in the market place with quality rather than price.

Culture is examined in this book and is brought to the forefront because outside of China and Japan, the United States has the third largest Korean population living outside of the Peninsula of Korea. Korea towns in Los Angeles and New York have brought into vogue an interesting tradition, the Spa concept Korean style. We have spas, but they are not the same as what the Korean's offer. Special techniques are employed using sandpaper for foliation of the skin and is enjoyed by Americans as well as Asians

This in-depth examination of Korean attitudes, religion, and culture makes for an interesting read that is pleasingly informative. "The New Korea" is highly recommended.

The New Korea

An inside look at South Korea's Economic Rise
Author: Myung Oak Kim and Sam Jaffe
ISBN: 0814414893, Pages: 288, Publication Date: May 27, 2010, Hardcover, History/Management, Published by: AmaCom Books.

Clark Isaacs is an accomplished book critic who is published in local newspapers and national book review lists. Contact Clark through his website at clarkisaacs.ning.com or through NewsBlaze.