Offering gifts or offering bribes? Code of ethics in South Korea

Journal of Third World Studies, Spring 2001 by Chang, Chan Sup, Chang, Nahn Joo, Freese, Barbara T

This category of gifts for congratulation is completely compatible with ethical behavior. However, a gray area may develop between gifts and bribes if one gives an excessive amount of cash far beyond the social norms for a birthday or a wedding of a high ranking government official who oversees one's business. Offering gifts or offering bribes? It is not so simple in this case. However, some Koreans do not miss these occasions to obtain favors from prominent figures.

Gratitude means the appreciation one has for any favor received from another party. For example, if one has a car accident on an interstate highway, and receives help from some total strangers, he (or she) may later send a thank you note or gift as a token of appreciation for their help. Like people in other countries, Koreans never forget the favors or help they received from others. They express their gratitude in such situations. Koreans usually meet the persons who offered help to express their gratitude. In some cases, appreciation may be expressed in the form of cash or check, though it is not a common practice. This category of giving gifts for gratitude is ethical behavior.

There are two occasions very unique in South Korea vis-a-vis the category of gratitude. One case is the gratitude of a patient toward his or her nurses in hospital. When a patient leaves the hospital after a lengthy stay, he or she hands over cash in a white envelope to the nurse who provided care. The patient sincerely appreciates the nurse for the service rendered, so this behavior is gratitude in the real sense.

Another case is gratitude to school teachers, usually in elementary or junior high school, by the parents in appreciation for the teachers' services to their children. At least once a semester, the parent (usually the mother) meets with the teacher to discuss the progress the child is making. After the meeting, the parent hands over cash in a white envelope to the teacher in appreciation. This case is not as simple as the previous case. First, when a parent gives cash as a token of gratitude or appreciation, the behavior is ethical. But the donating parent develops a subtle expectation to receive some favors for her child, such as possibly giving the child a more generous grade and/or attention. Some teachers take these occasions for granted. In some extreme cases, teachers strongly suggest that the parents who have seldom met with the teachers should visit the class. The parents of these students are aware that their teachers expect a cash gift that they have not provided. In this situation, giving the gift may constitute a case of offering a bribe. Giving a gift as a token of gratitude is ethical behavior; however, in South Korea a gray area exists between gifts and bribes, as described in the case of cash between a parent and a school teacher.

Offering condolence is regarded seriously in South Korea. Koreans express condolence to a grieving family by sending flowers or donating money for a memorial fund or by simply attending the funeral service. Gifts of condolence are also ethical behavior in any society.