Cultural Guide for Korean Employers: Understanding 17 EPS Countries

1. 🤔 Why Should Employers Learn About Foreign Worker Cultures?

Hiring foreign workers is common in Korea today. Understanding their cultural backgrounds helps build respect, reduce conflicts, and boost productivity. From religion to communication styles, respecting these differences creates a positive workplace.

2. 🌐 What Countries Are in the EPS Program?

Korea has EPS agreements with 16 countries: Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Cambodia, China, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, and Laos.

This post covers the first 8 countries: Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan. Stay tuned for Part 2!

📌 Philippines

Archipelago of 7,500+ islands. Capital: Manila. Languages: Tagalog & English. ~79% are Catholic. Historic ties with Korea since 1949. Sent over 7,000 troops during the Korean War.

📌 Thailand

Located in Southeast Asia. Capital: Bangkok. Language: Thai. Buddhism plays a central role. Warm climate year-round. Developed as a major industrial economy since the 1990s.

📌 Indonesia

Island nation with 18,000+ islands. Capital: Jakarta. Languages: Indonesian, Javanese, and more. Rich in natural resources. Diplomatic ties with Korea began in 1973.

📌 Vietnam

Eastern Indochina Peninsula. Capital: Hanoi. Language: Vietnamese. Rapid economic growth since 1986 reforms. Strong business ties with Korea since 1992.

📌 Sri Lanka

Tropical island near India. Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte; largest city: Colombo. Languages: Sinhala, Tamil, English. Famous for tea exports and Buddhist heritage.

📌 Mongolia

Located between Russia and China. Capital: Ulaanbaatar. Language: Mongolian. Harsh, dry climate. Rich nomadic traditions. Diplomatic ties with Korea since 1990.

📌 Uzbekistan

Landlocked country in Central Asia. Capital: Tashkent. Languages: Uzbek, Russian. Diverse ethnic population. Historically part of the Silk Road. 88% Muslim.

📌 Pakistan

Located in South Asia. Capital: Islamabad. Languages: Urdu, English. Strong in agriculture and light industries. Diplomatic ties with Korea since 1983.

📣 Final Note for Employers

Understanding your team’s background shows respect and improves teamwork. Provide culturally informed training and communication. GIVER’S encourages all Korean employers to foster multicultural harmony and a productive work environment!