My very short visit to Korea so far has been limited to an elite downtown area, so these perceptions are squewed--but still, some thoughts about Korea--and Seoul in particular, with the acknowledge they are just impressions:

• This country is dedicated to become an economic success and enconomic global power
• The government sees education, technology innovation, knowledge work and manufacturing as keys to that
• Working out issues with North Korea is key to success
• So is making sure every child learns English--yesterday's newspaper said they are going to triple the number of English teachers--and add a native-speaking English teacher to every middle school--in the next few years
• Korea is a very formal country, fond of pomp and hierarchy
• Women are in a challenging position--haven't seen many executive women this trip, though amazingly smart women in the more helping professions--marketing, service industries, event planning--abound
• Urban, affluent Koreans are more comfortable with technology than Americans--but it's not clear to me how average they are--or what the average worker enjoys and thinks
• It's a country I can learn from--I hope to have a chance to return and spend more time here