Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
INTERVIEW: MICHAEL BREEN
Michael Breen
One of the expatriate community's more prominent figures, author and expert on the
two Koreas Michael Breen first came to South Korea in the turbulent 1980s, cov-
ering the country for newspapers like
The Guardian
and the
Washington Times.
In
addition to writing two well-received books about the peninsula—
The Koreans,
an
examination of the Korean character, and
Kim Jong Il: North Korea's Dear Lead-
er
—Breen worked extensively in the local communications industry and now heads
his own public relations firm, Insight Communications Consultants, which helps cli-
ents such as Shell and the Bank of New York Mellon navigate the South Korean mar-
ket.
Q:
For you, what are the biggest advantages and disadvantages of living here?
A:
I think South Korea presents a challenge, even for Koreans. There's a diffi-
culty in understanding the place and operating here that goes beyond the language
