The claim that the Korean is better than the current production Chinese Epi's is not without merit. I've A/B newer Chinese-made Sheraton II's and Casinos against my own 2001 Korean-made (Samick, factory since gone to Indonesia) Sheraton II and 2005 Korean-made (Peerless factory) Casino. No question, from materials, stock pickups to fit & finish the Koreans are by far superior. Particularly the Sheraton II, which bears a 'Gibson' Truss Rod Cover.
I recently had my Sheraton II and Casino up for sale, not because I wanted to. Lucky for me, all I got was low-ball offers from folks who apparently thought they were just older versions of the new Chinese products. So I managed to figure out how to keep them, and I have.