[Yubumsuk]

Hopefully there'll be an 'upturn' in 2010 and this is just an unfortunate blip, but given the state of manufacturing in industrialised countries and exports in developing countries I think that might be a big pessimistic. As for me, while I could restart in a number of countries, I've decided to bet with ... Korea.

Why, you might ask, would I stick with a country whose currency has done the worst out of all major currencies in the past year, which has pretty well no natural resources, which has done everything possible to discourage FDI, has levels of corruption higher than many third-world countries, has an economy dependent upon high-quality exports, has a tendency to blame foreigners when things go wrong, and is still technically at war? Well, apart from the fact that I'm comfortable and have most of my savings here, I'd consider this:

- Korea has a fairly well educated population, but the things they're most lacking in, English and an understanding of how the west acts and thinks, are the very things a westerner living in and familiar with Korea can best provide.

- Korea has a highly disciplined workforce that is willing to sacrifices few other well-off societies would.

- Korea has far fewer obligations to provide social services than most countries with a similar or higher GDP / capita, resulting in less service-orientated bureaucracy and dependency on taxpayers to keep society moving along. While this is changing a bit, families will still absorb much of the time and cost of provided what would be government social services in other countries.

- A global depression may well force Korea to make dramatic changes to its economic structure, and this will necessarily entail greater reliance on and cooperation with westerners. It's proven itself in the past to be able to adapt to new economic demands and opportunities at rates unprecedented in human history, and given the necessity of doing so, should be able to again.

So that's where I'm placing my bets. Where are you and why?

[michcar]

Depression is one of those disorders which most people face in there life as some stage for one reason or the other. If it's children the pressure of studies gets over their head and if it's adults the pressure of work attracts depression. At this time one should just stick to there work whether it's business or job and try and keep faith in it. As US has given a bailout package to it's economy and G-20 submit is going on so it will surely get some liquidity in world market and will end this period of Global Depression. http://www.xanax-effects.com

[MissLadyBunny]

I agree with the "Global Depression" in America. As jobs become harder to find large coporations cut back on benefits for their employees. (medical,dental,pensions,retirements,life insurance policies, etc..) This would be solve if there was a universal medical program and universal pension plans provided to those who work. Which Korea has to offer in their workers who do earn a pension,etc.. The problem with states is the the goverment allow big coporations to get away with this and send jobs overseas that do not have to offer the same benefits as an American worker can earn. Instead they rather cut taxes (or pay non at all) and the cost of wages. This only hurts the American economy and it really doesn't boost foreign economy if wages are way less than excepted or a mass lay off happens.

[derrek]

I never had anything to lose from the jump, so y'all are just coming closer to me! mwahahaha!