And if Korean companies can't even interest the domestic market in their products, some say, how are they going to win at the international level?

Success in this business will not be assured for the Korean companies.

The Korean companies have a research consortium, although executives say it has done little so far.

Moreover, Korean companies are increasingly aiming at the low end of the market.

Japanese and South Korean companies are also here in force.

Over the last few years, Korean companies have become a major presence in the regional real estate market.

The cutbacks and other changes are not limited to Korean companies.

That makes it difficult for Korean companies to raise investment capital.

When Korean companies borrow money they must now say so publicly.

A South Korean company actually put up the money for the project.