Just recently, there was a wave of news regarding an altercation amongst the Korea national football team. There were many allegations and the issue was resolved, but the altercation occurred as some of the younger members on the team wanted to leave their team dinner early, contrast to the older members’ approval. This difference in opinion was clearly seen as disrespectful, as a conflict broke out. While there was much more to the context, this conflict was a clear example of the importance of seniority in Korean culture.
In Korea, seniority is of great significance because of its deep-rooted cultural values and hierarchical social structure. Confucian principles have long influenced Korean society, emphasizing respect for elders and hierarchical relationships. This cultural heritage has spread to various aspects of Korean life, including the workplace. In companies, organisations, and especially sports-teams, seniority is a basic principle governing the processes of interaction and decision-making. Seniority reflects not only age but also experience and wisdom, which are highly valued qualities. Respect for elders and those with more experience is deeply rooted in Korean culture, and seniority is a tangible expression of that respect. In addition, seniority is seen to promote stability and order in organizations by providing a clear framework for authority and decision-making. It assumably ensures that those who have invested time and effort in their duties are properly recognized and rewarded, which contributes to a sense of loyalty and commitment among employees. In addition, seniority-based systems promote continuity and longevity within organisations, as individuals are motivated to remain with their employer for a long time in order to advance their positions and status. Overall, seniority is the cornerstone of Korean culture, fostering harmony, stability and respect in the workplace and society at large.
As to whether or not this practice is maintainable or even practical, that is a whole another conversation. A lot of traditions/beliefs, including those of Confucian principles, are fading away each generation, and often times the concept of seniority can hamper progression and innovation. After all, one’s position should be determined majorly by their competency, but there are many gives and takes to this approach.
Comments
While seniority can indeed foster respect and stability, it's fascinating to consider how it might also pose challenges in dynamic environments like sports or modern businesses where flexibility and innovation are crucial. This ongoing debate between traditional seniority and merit-based recognition is pivotal as Korea continues to adapt and evolve in a global context. Your insight into these cultural nuances is really thought-provoking and adds depth to understanding the complexities of societal values in transition
I think that these Confucian principles are what separates western culture from Asian culture, Korea in particular. I have been always taught to respect my elders and those who are more experienced in the world than I am because of these old teachings. However, living in America sometimes makes me forget this culture of Korea when I meet people who are around my age but are older. I accidentally talk to them casually instead of using honorifics.
I remember hearing about this altercation between Son Heung Min and Lee Kang In on the news. There were so many hate comments towards Lee Kang In due to his disrespectful behavior towards the leader of the team, which really shows how important social hierarchy and seniority is in Korea.
I remember hearing this particular news about the Korean national football team. It was a complicated and serious case, and people started to criticize the younger members and some even spoke to them in a disrespectful manner. Hierarchical social structure and seniority have always been important aspects of the Korean culture, and it will probably remain until the end of South Korea. Thank you for sharing this side of the Korean culture.
Confucianism has definitely been a strong factor throughout daily Korean life since the Joseon Dynasty. But like you mentioned at the end, there are some debatable aspects especially in the modern world. But the respect and discipline in Korean culture is definitely noticeable compared to Western countries
It is interesting to see how you connect Confucianism with politeness in Korean culture. I am working on differentiating the levels of respect in conversations this week and I found the degree of politeness is not only based on age but also on social status and speaker's relationship with the listener. It might be interesting to investigate how Confucianism affects Korean culture differently than Chinese culture, or other east asian cultures. Also, we can compare why almost all Korean people follow the Confucian rule while some of them are Christian.