In Korean communication, silence is not an absence — it is a presence. What is not said carries meaning that Western communicators often miss. A pause before answering, silence in response to a request, the absence of objection — each of these communicates something specific in Korean social contexts. This article examines the meaning of silence in Korean communication.
Why Silence Matters in Korean Communication
The Pause Before Answering
Silence as Polite Refusal
The Absence of Objection
Reading Silence with Nunchi
How to Communicate More Effectively with Koreans
Read the Book
This article is based on themes explored in depth in The Space Between People by Kim Jungseo, part of The Korean Wisdom Series.