International Business : SPOTLIGHT ON SOUTH KOREA : Resources

Some useful addresses, phone numbers and publications for doing business in South Korea:

OFFICIAL FOREIGN OFFICES

The Korean Consulate can answer questions about visa requirements and political affairs in South Korea. A customs officer based at the consulate can provide information on import regulations and duties for people who want to export to South Korea.

Korean Consulate

3243 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90010

(213) 385-9300

Fax: (213) 385-1849

For general information about business opportunities in South Korea, contact the South Korean Embassy in Washington or the U.S. Embassy in South Korea.

Korean Embassy

2370 Massachusetts Ave. N.W.

Washington, DC 20008

(202) 797-6343

Fax: (202) 387-0413

U.S. Embassy

82 Sejong-Ro

Chongro-ku, Seoul 110-030

Republic of Korea

(82-2) 397-4114

Fax: (82-2) 739-1628

The Korea Trade Center, the Southwestern U.S. branch office of the Korea Trade Promotion Corp., can provide lists of South Korean manufacturers, exporters and importers. The center can also schedule meetings between South Korean companies and visiting business people.

Korea Trade Center

4801 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 104

Los Angeles, CA 90010

(213) 954-9500

Fax: (213) 954-1707

Korea Trade Promotion Corp.

Korea World Trade Center

159 Samsong-dong

Kangnam-ku, Seoul

Republic of Korea

(82-2) 551-4181

Fax: (82-2) 551-4477

The following organization can assist people interested in investment opportunities in South Korea, such as setting up an office or factory.

Consultation Office for Overseas Companies

Room 524, Building 3

Government Complex II

Kwachon, Kyonggi-do

Republic of Korea 427-760

(82-2) 500-2539 or (82-2) 507-2152

Fax: (82-2) 503-9655

TRADE CONTACTS

Businesses interested in exporting to South Korea must become a “registered foreign trader” by joining the Korean Foreign Trade Assn. This designation is necessary in order to export under the Foreign Trade Law.

Korean Foreign Trade Assn.

Sung-Ki, Manager

America’s Division

International Affairs Department

Room 4720

KOEX Building, 159-1

Samsung-dong, Kangnam-ku, Seoul

Republic of Korea

(82-2) 551-5301

Fax: (82-2) 551-5100

Korean Foreign Trade Assn.

460 Park Ave., Room 600

New York, NY 10022

(212) 421-8804

Fax: (212) 223-3827

These agencies can provide information on tariffs and can counsel companies interested in doing business in South Korea.

Asia Pacific Business Counseling Center

14th & Constitution Ave. N.W., Room 2032

Washington, DC 20230

(202) 482-2522

Fax: (202) 482-4453

Assn. of Foreign Trading Agents

AFTAK Building

218 Hangang-ro, 2-ka

Yongsan-ku, Seoul

Republic of Korea

(82-2) 780-3377

Fax: (82-2) 785-4373

Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Eyo-Dae Kim, Executive Director

International Affairs

45 Namdaemunro 4-ka

Chung-ku, Seoul 100-743

Republic of Korea

(82-2) 316-3523

Fax: (82-2) 757-9475

For directories of South Korean companies interested in partnering with businesses overseas to discuss trade, investment and technology, contact the following organization.

Korea Federation of Small Businesses

18-2 Yoido-dong

Youngdeungpo-ku, Seoul 150-010

Republic of Korea

(82-2) 785-0892

Fax: (82-2) 782-0247

To receive country-and-industry-specific research reports, foreign trade leads and descriptions of government programs, sign on to the Automated Trade Library Service database at the California Trade and Commerce Agency.

California Trade and Commerce Agency

Export Development Program

Office of Export Development

One World Trade Center, Suite 990

Long Beach, CA 90831-0990

(310) 590-5965

Fax: (310) 590-5958

Sources: Korea Trade Center, Korea Trade Promotion Corp., U.S. Embassy, U.S. Foreign Commercial Service

Researched by JENNIFER OLDHAM and DAVID NEIMAN / Los Angeles Times