Chaebol played a key role in developing new industries, markets, and export production, helping make South Korea one of the Four Asian Tigers. Although South Korea's major industrial programs did not begin until the early 1960s, the origins of the country's entrepreneurial elite were found in the political economy of the 1950s. Very few Koreans had owned or managed larger corporations during the Japanese colonial period. After the departure of the Japanese in 1945, some Korean businessmen obtained the assets of some of the Japanese firms, a number of which grew into the chaebol of the 1990s. The companies, as well
Etiquette in South Korea the holidays, South Koreans give gifts to their parents and superiors, such as ribs, fruit, wine, and/or gift cards. Neighbors often receive cooking oil, a can of tuna, or laver. In South Korea, going to a funeral involves praying for the deceased person to rest in heaven, and is related to filial piety. Funerals and rituals are ceremonies organized by family and it is considered their responsibility to oversee them. Recently, funeral customs have significantly changed. For example, many people now prefer to have small funerals and be cremated rather than buried. In South Korea, the phrase “condolence call” means