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World Average TEA 9.6
Asian Average TEA 3.4

Entrepreneurship in South Korea

Summary on Country
• High TEA (Total Entrepreneurship Activity) index (13- 16 compared to 6-8 average of all countries)
• High setup cost - At least $1,000 setup cost related to administration fees for public office (i.e. fees to form a corporation)

Much Korean sucess is due to entrepreneurs. Many entrepreneurs in different fields became world-class big conglomerates such as Samsung, Hyundai, and LG. These three major conglomerates compose more than 30% of the nation’s GDP. Korea ranks as one of the highest levels with a TEA rating of 14.5, but there are still many barriers to entrepreneurship. A prevailing negative attitude towards entrepreneurs, attitude towards risk and failure, and bureaucracy are major issues concerning entrepreneurship in Korea. Considerable efforts are being made to reduce these barriers and nurture the entrepreneurial spirit. Organizations are streamlining bureaucracy, communication in exchanging and sharing information, and encouraging collaboration within organizations.

South Korea has the third largest foreign investment market among developing markets in the Asian region, after China and Hong Kong with 12,000 foreign firms in operation. The South Korean government plans to mold its market into the predominant business and financial hub of Northeast Asia, working to boost foreign investment from 9.7 currently to 20% by 2010. South Korea has shown some progress in the enforcement of its IPR regulations, boasting one of the highest per capita Internet and mobile telephony usage rates and committing to over $300 billion in infrastructure spending. Korea is evolving into a more competitive, transparent, and user-friendly international business environment, driven by increased deregulation, local autonomy, entrepreneuristic activity, and foreign direct investment. The government is injecting over $90 billion in funds to recapitalize the banking systems after the late-1990’s financial crisis, predicated on the financial institutions’ commitment to international accounting standards and FLC’s as a provision against non-performing loans.

On the investment side, Korea has made remarkable strides. Aggregated limits on foreign investment in stocks (except for some state-owned firms) have been eliminated; restrictions on mergers and acquisitions are being lifted; financial services of a wide variety can now be undertaken by foreign firms; and a range of industry sectors once closed to foreign investment are slated to be opened in full or in part.

While there continues to be reports of anti-import sentiment in Korea, the Korean government has strongly urged their fellow citizens to look at foreign companies as allies in the rebuilding of the Korean economy. Korea has undertaken a commitment under the IMF program to overhaul its import certification and clearance procedures, as well as bring Korean standards into line with world-recognized standards. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Energy is reviewing laws related to standards, health, safety, etc. in order to revise them to reduce barriers. Import clearance and certification problems are fundamental to the market access concerns of a broad range of foreign industries and entrepreneurs attempting to do business in Korea -- autos, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, motion pictures - to cite a few examples.

For videos on Korean entrepreneurship, click here.

Best Bets
KOTRA (Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency)
Korea federation of small and medium business

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