Dutch Business Council Korea

Events 2014
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Previous events: 2014

Thursday, 11 December 2014
Farewell drinks for Ambassador & Mrs. Menkveld

After over four years of posting in Korea, Ambassador Paul Menkveld and his wife Anna left the country. By means of the regular Dutch Drinks taking place on every 2nd Thursday of the month, DBCK together with HAMEL (Dutch social club) bid farewell to the Ambassador Menkveld and his wife. 

Tuesday, 2 December 2014
DBCK seminar on HR developments & issues in Korea: "A Legal Opinion of Kim & Chang

DBCK organized a mini-seminar on HR developments and issues in Korea, at the residence of Netherlands Ambassador in Seoul, together with the labor lawyers of Kim & Chang.

The seminar consisted of two sessions on 1) termination of employments and 2) anti-corruption and compliances with a short coffee break in between. After each presentation by the HR legal experts, an interactive platform was provided Q&A's with the participants.   

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Monday 3 November 2014
Netherlands-Korea Economic Networking Reception

On the occasion of the visit of Dutch Parallel Economic Mission to Korea led by Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, Mr. Henk Kamp.

3rd-4th November 2014
State visit to the Republic of Korea of His Majesty King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands and His Majesty Queen Maxima.

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Thursday, 4 September 2014
DBCK/ HAMEL Season-opening drinks

On the occasion of the opening of the season 2014/15, DBCK and HAMEL (Dutch social club) hosted a casual drink at the Dutch Ambassador’s residence.

Thursday, 29 May 2014
HDBCK Golf Tournament: Dutch Open 2014

The annual DBCK Golf Tournament, Dutch Open 2014 took place on Thursday, 29th May at the Lakeside Country Club in Yongin. 

DBCK members and their business partners made 12 flights in total and played golf together, followed by an outdoor BBQ. With the support of our generous sponsors, several prizes were awarded.

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Wednesday, 12 March 2014
Hamel Trade Awards Dinner 2014

Together with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Seoul, DBCK organized the Hamel Trade Awards Dinner 2014 on Wednesday, 12 March 2014 at The Plaza Hotel, Seoul. 

For the 2014 Award, four companies have been nominated by the members : Heineken Korea, Vopak Terminals Korea, VAF Instruments and Dockwise Korea. The combined opinions of the jury members led to the selection of two companies : VAF Instruments and Heineken Korea. Both companies were present at award ceremony.

The Winners of Hamel Trade Awards 2014 were announced during the ceremony at the dinner: the best performing Dutch company in Korea has been won by Heineken Korea. And the prize for best Korean company in the Netherlands went to Hyundai Engine Korea. 

The evening was attended by 69 guests, mostly DBCK members, but also representatives from Dutch companies, the sustainability experts of the Amsterdam municipality, who happened to be in Seoul for a visit, as well as numerous Korean alumni from Dutch universities. 

The guest of honor, Mr. Ha, Tae-youk, Director-General for European Affairs of the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered a congratulatory speech.

Thursday, 20 February 2014
DBCK Discussion Evening  <One Year President Park : Korea's Economic Policies and Business Climate>

DBCK organized a Discussion Evening on 'One Year President Park : Korea's Economic Policies and Business Climate' on Thursday, 20 February 2014, at the residence of Netherlands Ambassador in Seoul.

The first speaker, Mr. Simon Mundy, Financial Times correspondent in Seoul, shed light on the pros and cons of President Park’s economic policies. He thinks the future course of the Korean economy is rather difficult to predict because it hugely dependends on outside factors due to its exports (manufactured goods) and imports (natural resources). The President has made many a promise and financing them all is likely to be difficult, while her policies may not be focused enough on the long-term.

The second speaker, Mr. Christoph Heider, Secretary General of the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea, examined the business climate under the current Korean government. Christoph, among others, expressed concern about the way the Korean Tax Service tries to increase government revenues by scrutinizing foreign companies in Korea. The much needed restructuring of the Korean economy is hampered by a plethora of ministries and government agencies, which sometimes have conflicting interests and contrary actions.

 

Mr. Peter Underwood, Senior Partner at the IRC business consultancy firm, was the moderator of the evening.

 

After a break for a buffet-dinner, a plenary discussion of some 45 minutes concluded the evening. Many of the 35 DBCK members thought the presentations and the discussion to be both most informative and very witty.

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