ABSTRACT
This chapter is concerned with human resource management (HRM) in South Korea (hereafter just “Korea”), the third largest economy in Asia and the thirteenth (2002) in the world (the eleventh largest just before the 1997 Asian financial crisis). While at first sight it may be assumed to be a “typical” Asian country in terms of its HRM, the reality is less clear-cut, with many particular practices. The key characteristics in Korean HRM revolve around practices based on “seniority” and regulation versus more flexibility in labor markets; with easier job shedding, remuneration, and greater focus on performance elements. Paradoxically, some influences (such as the Asian crisis and globalization) have generated a less homogenous HRM system in Korea.
