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Welcome To South Korea
Country number
3
Selected MR Agencies
  • Elephants Can't Jump

    Ensuring brand initiatives work in practice as well as in theory. To have marketplace impact, we believe every research assignment should consist of three elements consumer exploration or validation, within a competitive context, generating commercial outputs.
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  • Firefish Ltd

    29 full time staff, operating in all corners of the globe, on all manner of projects. No methodology is squashed to fit. We approach each brief with fresh eyes and minds, to make sure you get the most out of your research, helping your brand move forward.
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  • Grass Roots

    Grass Roots is one of Europe's largest performance improvement companies. Established in 1980, Grass Roots UK is the founding company of a group with offices and partners operating in 15 countries around the world.
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  • DIGITAL-MR

    In addition to Social Media Research (Web Listening) DigitalMRs solutions also include community panels, access panels, Web usability and a distinct focus on qualitativeresearch online.
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An Introduction to South Korea

South Korea is officially the Republic of Korea, and is sometimes referred to simply as Korea, since its northern neighbour the DPRK has limited relations with much of the rest of the world. Korea was united in 668 AD, ruled by dynasties until the fall of the Empire in 1910 when it was annexed by Japan - it was liberated at the end of WorldWar II and divided. South Korea became a democracy in 1948. See full country profile.

Latest Research News from Korea

Feb 9
Nielsen is expanding its Connected TV (CTV) measurement of YouTube ads into eleven additional global markets, including Germany, India, Japan and the UK. Feb 9 2024
Jan 16
Shanghai-based fieldwork and research services provider Holden Healthcare has welcomed a partner in Korea to its Asia Physician Panel Alliance (APPA). Seoul agency Nownfuture joins existing partners Seed Planning in Japan and The Owl Consulting Company in Taiwan. Jan 16 2024


1 current Korean job:

Survey Research Manager, Remote Working - Worldwide, $ Competitive salary - (posted Feb 27 2024)


Fast Facts
Map of South Korea
CAPITAL: Seoul
GOVERNMENT: Presidential Republic
AREA: 99,313 sq km
POPULATION: 49.7 million (2009)
MAJOR LANGUAGE: Korean
Bell of Peace, Imjingak, South Korea
Bell of Peace, Imjingak, South Korea




A little More Knowledge?
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South Korea in Profile

South Korea is officially the Republic of Korea, and is sometimes referred to simply as Korea, since its northern neighbour the DPRK has limited relations with much of the rest of the world. Korea was united in 668 AD, ruled by dynasties until the fall of the Empire in 1910 when it was annexed by Japan - it was liberated at the end of WorldWar II and divided. South Korea became a democracy in 1948.

One of the wealthiest countries in Asia, its economy is the 13th largest in the world, with growth fuelled by the export of high-tech goods. Industries where it ranks among world leaders include automobiles, biotechnology, construction, computers, electronics, petrochemicals, robotics, semiconductors, shipbuilding and steel.

Some Business and General Info

GDP: US$991.1 billion (2010 est.). Per head: US$20,265.

Religions Shamanism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Chondogyo, Catholicism and Protestantism.

Currency: South Korean Won (KRW)

Telephone Code: +82

FCO


Overview of the Research Industry

MR Association(s):

The Korean Research Association

South Korea was the fastest-growing market in Asia Pacific in 2008. This was driven by an increase in international and public sector projects. Net growth in 2007-8 at 11.4% was 5 times higher than the Asian average of 2.1%.

Size: turnover $425m in 2008.
Source: ESOMAR

Overview of Trade and Industry

Major Cities: Major cities: Seoul (10.1 million), Busan (3.5 million), Incheon (2.6 million), Daegu (2.5 million), Dajeon (1.5 million), Gwangju (1.4 million), Ulsan (1.1 million).

My view
from...
South Korea
Researchers Talk!
Have your say!
If you are a researcher based in South Korea, in whatever capacity, then we would love to hear from you!

Email me:
laurence@mrweb.com

Views from...
KyungEun Chang, Synovate Korea
As a local Korean, the very first question I am asked by foreign colleagues, fresh off the boat, is 'What does 'Ppali Ppali' mean?'

'Ppali Ppali' is one of the most frequently heard Korean expressions and in English it means 'quick quick'.

It is one of the most important words to characterize Korea and its people as everything happens very fast - whether we are referring to the pace of life, the market as a whole, the research industry or the research buyers themselves.

As such, Korean marketers often respond quickly and always push themselves that extra mile to increase the turnaround time.

So, don't be surprised if you receive a request from your Korean client, demanding a 'Quick validation of a new mobile phone concept with a sample of at least 500 people, and the report needs to be completed in two weeks'.

And after spending the entire evening writing the questionnaire, be ready for the call from the same client asking to put the survey on hold as the concept is not quite ready...

The lesson is: be quick but always ready for change.

This 'quick & quick syndrome' makes the researcher's life hard but it has also been the driving force behind Korea's rapid industrial development and for research advancement as well.