Understanding business terminology is crucial when discussing corporate matters in Korean. This guide focuses on the term “golden parachute,” explaining its Korean equivalent and related expressions used in business contexts, particularly concerning executive compensation and severance packages.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 황금낙하산
Pronunciation: hwang-geum-nak-ha-san
Meaning: Golden parachute (A substantial benefits package guaranteed to a corporate executive should they be dismissed as a result of a merger or takeover)
Related Business Terms
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Expression: 퇴직금
Pronunciation: twe-jik-geum
Meaning: Severance pay -
Expression: 계약
Pronunciation: gye-yak
Meaning: Contract -
Expression: 인수합병 (M&A)
Pronunciation: in-su-hap-byeong
Meaning: Merger and Acquisition (M&A) -
Expression: 임원
Pronunciation: im-won
Meaning: Executive, board member -
Expression: 해고
Pronunciation: hae-go
Meaning: Dismissal, firing -
Expression: 보상
Pronunciation: bo-sang
Meaning: Compensation -
Expression: 주주
Pronunciation: ju-ju
Meaning: Shareholder -
Expression: 이사회
Pronunciation: i-sa-hoe
Meaning: Board of directors -
Expression: 경영진
Pronunciation: gyeong-yeong-jin
Meaning: Management, executive team -
Expression: 스톡옵션
Pronunciation: seu-tok-op-syeon
Meaning: Stock option -
Expression: 고용 계약
Pronunciation: go-yong gye-yak
Meaning: Employment contract -
Expression: 기업 지배구조
Pronunciation: gi-eop ji-bae-gu-jo
Meaning: Corporate governance
Phrases Using Golden Parachute
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Expression: 그 임원은 거액의 황금낙하산을 받았습니다.
Pronunciation: geu im-won-eun geo-aek-ui hwang-geum-nak-ha-san-eul bad-at-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: That executive received a huge golden parachute. -
Expression: 계약서에 황금낙하산 조항이 포함되어 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gye-yak-seo-e hwang-geum-nak-ha-san jo-hang-i po-ham-dwe-eo it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The contract includes a golden parachute clause. -
Expression: 주주들은 황금낙하산 지급에 반대했습니다.
Pronunciation: ju-ju-deul-eun hwang-geum-nak-ha-san ji-geup-e ban-dae-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The shareholders opposed the payment of the golden parachute. -
Expression: 황금낙하산은 경영진을 보호하기 위한 것입니다.
Pronunciation: hwang-geum-nak-ha-san-eun gyeong-yeong-jin-eul bo-ho-ha-gi wi-han geot-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The golden parachute is intended to protect the management. -
Expression: 인수합병 시 황금낙하산이 발동될 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: in-su-hap-byeong si hwang-geum-nak-ha-san-i bal-dong-dwel su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The golden parachute can be triggered during an M&A. -
Expression: 황금낙하산 규모에 대한 논란이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: hwang-geum-nak-ha-san gyu-mo-e dae-han nol-lan-i it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: There is controversy over the size of the golden parachute. -
Expression: 그는 퇴직 조건으로 황금낙하산을 협상했습니다.
Pronunciation: geu-neun twe-jik jo-geon-eu-ro hwang-geum-nak-ha-san-eul hyeop-sang-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: He negotiated a golden parachute as part of his retirement terms. -
Expression: 황금낙하산은 때때로 비판의 대상이 됩니다.
Pronunciation: hwang-geum-nak-ha-san-eun ttae-ttae-ro bi-pan-ui dae-sang-i dwem-ni-da.
Meaning: Golden parachutes sometimes become targets of criticism. -
Expression: 이사회는 황금낙하산 지급을 승인했습니다.
Pronunciation: i-sa-hoe-neun hwang-geum-nak-ha-san ji-geup-eul seung-in-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The board of directors approved the golden parachute payment. -
Expression: 황금낙하산은 적대적 인수를 막는 효과도 있습니다.
Pronunciation: hwang-geum-nak-ha-san-eun jeok-dae-jeok in-su-reul mak-neun hyo-gwa-do it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Golden parachutes also have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers.
Discussing Executive Compensation
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Expression: 임원 보수 수준이 적절한가요?
Pronunciation: im-won bo-su su-jun-i jeok-jeol-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is the level of executive compensation appropriate? -
Expression: 황금낙하산의 구체적인 조건은 무엇입니까?
Pronunciation: hwang-geum-nak-ha-san-ui gu-che-jeok-in jo-geon-eun mu-eot-im-ni-kka?
Meaning: What are the specific terms of the golden parachute? -
Expression: 경영진의 성과와 보상이 연동되어야 합니다.
Pronunciation: gyeong-yeong-jin-ui seong-gwa-wa bo-sang-i yeon-dong-dwe-eo-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Management performance and compensation should be linked. -
Expression: 과도한 황금낙하산은 기업 가치를 훼손할 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gwa-do-han hwang-geum-nak-ha-san-eun gi-eop ga-chi-reul hwe-son-hal su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Excessive golden parachutes can damage corporate value. -
Expression: 퇴직금 규정은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: twe-jik-geum gyu-jeong-eun eo-tteo-ke dwe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the regulations regarding severance pay? -
Expression: 주주들은 임원 보상안에 대해 투표할 권리가 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ju-ju-deul-eun im-won bo-sang-an-e dae-hae tu-pyo-hal gwol-li-ga it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Shareholders have the right to vote on executive compensation plans. -
Expression: 황금낙하산에 대한 여론이 좋지 않습니다.
Pronunciation: hwang-geum-nak-ha-san-e dae-han yeo-ron-i jo-chi an-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Public opinion regarding golden parachutes is not favorable. -
Expression: 스톡옵션도 보상의 일부입니다.
Pronunciation: seu-tok-op-syeon-do bo-sang-ui il-bu-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Stock options are also part of the compensation. -
Expression: 황금낙하산 지급의 투명성이 중요합니다.
Pronunciation: hwang-geum-nak-ha-san ji-geup-ui tu-myeong-seong-i jung-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Transparency in golden parachute payments is important. -
Expression: 이 보상 패키지가 공정하다고 생각하십니까?
Pronunciation: i bo-sang pae-ki-ji-ga gong-jeong-ha-da-go saeng-gak-ha-sim-ni-kka?
Meaning: Do you think this compensation package is fair?
Korean Culture Notes
The term 황금낙하산 (hwang-geum-nak-ha-san) is a direct translation and concept borrowed from Western business practices. While understood in business circles, large golden parachutes often attract significant public criticism in Korea, where there’s a strong emphasis on fairness and perceived disparities between executive and worker compensation can be sensitive topics.
It’s related to, but distinct from, the concept of 낙하산 인사 (nak-ha-san in-sa), which literally means “parachute appointment.” This term refers to the practice of appointing individuals (often with political connections or from government) to high-level positions in companies or organizations, regardless of their qualifications – as if they were dropped in by parachute. This practice is generally viewed negatively.
Discussions about 황금낙하산 often involve debates about corporate governance (기업 지배구조 – gi-eop ji-bae-gu-jo) and the responsibilities of executives (임원 – im-won) and the board of directors (이사회 – i-sa-hoe) towards shareholders (주주 – ju-ju).
Transparency regarding executive compensation packages, including golden parachutes, is increasingly demanded by the public and investors in Korea.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two colleagues, Ji-hoon (A) and Soo-min (B), are discussing a recent news article about a CEO receiving a large golden parachute after a company merger.
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Expression: A: 수민 씨, 어제 뉴스 기사 봤어요? 합병된 회사 CEO가 엄청난 황금낙하산을 받았대요.
Pronunciation: su-min ssi, eo-je nyu-seu gi-sa bwat-seo-yo? hap-byeong-dwen hoe-sa si-i-o-ga eom-cheong-nan hwang-geum-nak-ha-san-eul bad-at-dae-yo.
Meaning: A: Soo-min, did you see the news article yesterday? They said the CEO of the merged company received a huge golden parachute. -
Expression: B: 네, 봤어요. 황금낙하산 규모가 수십억 원이라고 하던데요. 논란이 많더라고요.
Pronunciation: ne, bwat-seo-yo. hwang-geum-nak-ha-san gyu-mo-ga su-sib-eok won-i-ra-go ha-deon-de-yo. nol-lan-i man-teo-ra-go-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, I saw it. They said the size of the golden parachute is billions of won. There’s a lot of controversy. -
Expression: A: 맞아요. 회사 실적은 안 좋았는데, 경영진 보상은 너무 과도한 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: maj-a-yo. hoe-sa sil-jeok-eun an jo-at-neun-de, gyeong-yeong-jin bo-sang-eun neo-mu gwa-do-han geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: A: That’s right. The company’s performance wasn’t good, but the executive compensation seems excessive. -
Expression: B: 계약서에 명시된 조항이라 어쩔 수 없다고는 하지만, 주주들 입장에서는 불만이 많을 수밖에 없죠.
Pronunciation: gye-yak-seo-e myeong-si-dwen jo-hang-i-ra eo-jjeol su eop-da-go-neun ha-ji-man, ju-ju-deul ip-jang-e-seo-neun bul-man-i man-eul su-bak-ke eop-jyo.
Meaning: B: They say it can’t be helped because it’s a clause specified in the contract, but from the shareholders’ perspective, there’s bound to be a lot of dissatisfaction. -
Expression: A: 이런 황금낙하산 지급이 기업 지배구조 개선에 도움이 될까요?
Pronunciation: i-reon hwang-geum-nak-ha-san ji-geup-i gi-eop ji-bae-gu-jo gae-seon-e do-um-i dwel-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Do payments like this golden parachute help improve corporate governance? -
Expression: B: 글쎄요, 오히려 경영진의 도덕적 해이를 부추길 수도 있다는 비판도 있어요.
Pronunciation: geul-sse-yo, o-hi-ryeo gyeong-yeong-jin-ui do-deok-jeok hae-i-reul bu-chu-gil su-do it-da-neun bi-pan-do it-seo-yo.
Meaning: B: Well, there’s also criticism that it could actually encourage moral hazard among management.
Practice Tips
Great job learning about 황금낙하산 and related business terms! To really master these expressions, try reading Korean business news articles focusing on M&As or executive changes~ You’ll often find these terms used in context!
Practice discussing hypothetical scenarios involving executive compensation with a language partner. Ask questions like “Is this golden parachute fair?” (이 황금낙하산은 공정한가요? – i hwang-geum-nak-ha-san-eun gong-jeong-han-ga-yo?) or discuss the role of the board (이사회 – i-sa-hoe). Keep practicing, and you’ll soon be able to discuss complex business topics in Korean! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
