Greetings, meetings, business cards, dining and dress code — the professional manners that build trust in Korea.
Korea's business culture values respect, hierarchy and harmony. Good etiquette is less about rules and more about showing consideration in small, consistent ways.
Key takeaways
A slight bow when greeting, especially to seniors, is standard. Formal titles are safer than first names until you are told otherwise.
Arrive prepared and on time. Let the senior person open the meeting, listen without interrupting, and follow up on action items afterwards.
Business cards are treated with care. Present and receive them with both hands, read the card before putting it away, and keep it in a cardholder rather than a pocket.
Follow the host's lead on seating and ordering, show appreciation for the meal, and keep conversation friendly. Business formal attire is the safe default for meetings and client visits.
Shared values, daily customs and unwritten rules that shape how people work together in Korean offices.
Korean organisational structure explained — job titles, honorifics, reporting lines and how decisions flow.
How Korean meetings are prepared, run and followed up — from agendas and seniority to action items.
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