💼 Korean Business Meetings: Phrases & Etiquette – Advanced Level (TOPIK 5–6)
Do you want to navigate Korean business meetings with confidence?
In this advanced lesson, we’ll explore key phrases, etiquette rules, and cultural insights that professionals use in Korean corporate settings. This guide is perfect for TOPIK 5–6 learners preparing for real-world business communication.
📚 Table of Contents
- Why Business Meeting Etiquette Matters in Korea
- Essential Korean Business Meeting Phrases
- Key Etiquette Points for Professional Settings
- Practice Dialogue: Negotiation Meeting
- Did You Know? Corporate Culture in Korea
- Final Thoughts
💡 Why Business Meeting Etiquette Matters in Korea
Korean business culture emphasizes respect, hierarchy, and indirect communication. Using correct phrases and etiquette helps build trust and ensures smooth negotiations. Mastering this skill allows you to adapt in multinational environments and handle formal meetings with confidence.
📝 Essential Korean Business Meeting Phrases
Here are advanced-level phrases you will commonly hear or use in meetings:
- 회의를 시작하겠습니다. – We will begin the meeting.
- 의견 있으신 분 말씀해 주시겠습니까? – Would anyone like to share their opinion?
- 검토 후 다시 논의하도록 하겠습니다. – We will review and discuss this again later.
- 그 부분은 다음 안건으로 미루겠습니다. – We will postpone that topic to the next agenda item.
- 결정을 내리기 전에 확인해야 할 사항이 있습니다. – There are points to confirm before making a decision.
- 회의록에 기록해 두겠습니다. – It will be recorded in the meeting minutes.
Teacher’s Tip: These phrases are polite yet assertive. Note the use of formal verb endings like -겠습니다 for structured professionalism.
🤝 Key Etiquette Points for Professional Settings
- **Arrive early:** Being on time (or early) shows respect for others’ schedules.
- **Seating order matters:** Higher-ranking members sit farthest from the door; juniors sit closer.
- **Business cards (명함) exchange:** Present and receive with both hands, bow slightly, and read the card before putting it away.
- **Indirect disagreement:** Instead of saying “No,” use softeners like “그 부분은 다른 의견도 있는 것 같습니다” (There seems to be another opinion on that point).
- **Follow-up emails:** Always send polite summaries or thanks after meetings, often including action points.
🗣 Practice Dialogue: Negotiation Meeting
Manager A: 오늘 안건에 대해 모두 검토하셨습니까? Have you all reviewed today’s agenda?
Manager B: 네, 검토했고 추가 의견이 몇 가지 있습니다. Yes, we’ve reviewed it and have a few additional comments.
Manager A: 좋습니다. 우선 중요한 사항부터 논의하겠습니다. Alright. Let’s start with the key issues first.
Manager B: 이 계약 조건에 대해 수정 제안을 드리고 싶습니다. I’d like to propose revisions regarding these contract terms.
🧩 Quick Check: Can you rephrase the last sentence more formally using “검토 후” (after reviewing)? For example: “검토 후 조건 변경을 제안드리고자 합니다.”
🌏 Did You Know? Corporate Culture in Korea
Korean companies often follow **Confucian hierarchy**, influencing language and behavior in meetings. For example, juniors rarely interrupt seniors, and decisions are often made collectively rather than individually. Interestingly, using humble language (겸양어) when referring to yourself and honorific language (존댓말) for others is key to maintaining harmony in corporate discussions.
📦 Final Thoughts
Understanding both phrases and etiquette in Korean business meetings will not only improve your language skills but also your cultural adaptability. As an advanced learner, practice these in mock meetings or watch Korean corporate dramas to catch real-life expressions and gestures.
I hope that while reading various posts on my blog, you’ll learn Korean and grow to love Korea. As a Korean, I sincerely wish for that. Please come back anytime to discover new expressions and cultural insights!
🎓 Want to practice real Korean business phrases with feedback? Book a 1:1 Korean class on italki and learn to negotiate, present, and communicate confidently in Korean corporate settings!
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