how do I find someone in korea or vietnam to start making shoes

Connect with industrial designers, you could probably find an in thru a school.

Shoe production there is ludicrously cheap, most higher end nike models cost $30~ in materials and labor, duties hover around 20% additional to that.

Price based on the market and your marketing and you can profit incredibly.

R&D will be your biggest cost, I suggest finding a proper designer to cut your patterns.

>>10896263
Look up Santalum. They are from Thailand I think and they might do custom designs. Not sure how cheap tho