Are Korean tech companies more toxic than, say, American tech companies?

Doubtful. I can't think of a company that clearly hates its users more than Microsoft or Meta.

I'd say it's the tech industry as a whole that's toxic. And long overdue for a reckoning.

I can't really think of a tech company that does not hate its users. Yes of course there's Framework, but I mean large tech companies. It's all glued shut, proprietary, planned obsolescence, AI slop-ified, privacy invasive and over priced. Feel free to add to the list.

Related anecdote: My old washing machine is about to die, and I was discussing this with a co-worker the other day. He told me, with much excitement, about his new washing machine with AI, and a smartphone app where he can program his own washing cycles. I... just don't feel like I belong on the same planet as this person. It's the polar opposite of what I want.