Current Time in SouthKorea
Best time to meet with Korean people
| Time (local time) | 5-point scale | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00-9:00 | Some people can join before work, but the participation rate is low because it overlaps with the rush hour. | |
| 9:00-11:00 | This is known as the most productive time, as it is just after the start of work and people are highly focused. | |
| 11:00-13:00 | This is the time when morning work is winding down, but it is possible to finish early before lunch. | |
| 13:00-15:00 | This is the time when people are still feeling sleepy after lunch, and their concentration is likely to decrease. | |
| 15:00-17:00 | This is the peak time of work in the afternoon, and is a good time for decision-making and important discussions. | |
| 17:00-19:00 | This overlaps with the regular time to leave work, and even if there is overtime, participants' concentration will decrease. | |
| 19:00-21:00 | This overlaps with dinner and private time, so it should be avoided except in emergencies. | |
| 21:00-23:00 | This is the time when people are preparing for bed, and it is completely unsuitable for business meetings. |
The most recommended time is "9:00-11:00"
The best time to schedule a meeting in Korea is 9:00-11:00. This time is called the "golden hour" in Korean business culture, and is recognized as the time when concentration and productivity are at their peak. Many Korean office workers are morning people, and this time right after the start of work is when they are not tired from the previous day and can enter into the discussion with the clearest mind.
Morning assemblies and morning reports are well established in Korean companies, so a meeting starting at 9am is a natural fit. Another advantage is that this time slot is easy for superiors and decision-makers to attend. In Korea, important decisions tend to be made in the morning, and there is a culture of not wanting to carry them over to the afternoon.
When considering international meetings, this time slot is also suitable for coordination with Japan (time difference +0 hours) and China (time difference -1 hour). For meetings with Western countries, advance coordination is required because the morning of Korean time is the night before the local time, but it is the best timing for business within Asia.
In addition, this time slot avoids Seoul's rush hour (7:30-9:00), so participants can easily arrive on time even in the case of on-site meetings. In Korea, punctuality is important, so it is considered good manners to arrive at least 5 minutes before the meeting start time. We definitely recommend setting meetings regarding important transactions and contracts during this time slot.