Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rococobean]

Thanks TDC,

I guess I just wanted an answer like this because you never know. I've been seriously studying Korean for the past 5 years, since I first came here in 2009. Been involved in the culture for about 5 years before that as well. I'd like to think my Korean would be good enough, but you never know. I'll admit it's been harder keeping up with it though working at the 학원 .. was easier when I was a student and was around English a lot less. I just wanted to see roughly the level they're expecting. If all it is is some questions about why I want to become a Korean citizen, maybe some historical events, and the anthem I think I'll be all set - as far as knowledge of Korea and passion I'm for sure ready anyway. Getting that book will probably come in handy. Maybe I wait until the year before to do that though, ha ha.

[pzuvela]

One question..

I am currently employed at Pukyong National University in Busan. At the Office of International Affairs, I got a book Life in Busan and in it I found information that when I obtain my PhD from a Korean university (which I will do in 3-4 years) I am eligible for Korean citizenship.

Does anyone know anything about this ? Are there any TOPIK requirements also or just this one ?

Thank you !

[laynamarya]

Here's my experience with the interview, in as much detail as I can remember.

To study: If you naver image search 귀화면접심사, you’ll find the basic study guide. If you naver image search 귀화시험, you can find the book. I didn’t get the book, but most of the folks waiting to be interviewed at the office had it.

I had the first interview of the day (which I barely made…thank heavens I did, because if you are late, you fail). I put all my belongings except my ARC card into a locker, and my husband came in with me. They asked where I was from, and was I sure I wasn’t Russian (my maiden name is quite Russian-sounding). They asked about my job. And then they asked my husband to step out.

They asked me a few more personal questions, like where I met my husband and how old our baby was. Then, they asked me to read what was essentially the “honor code” of how to be a good citizen. They asked if I understood it and agreed. Next, they asked me to stand up and sing the first verse of the anthem and the chorus.

Then, they asked a lot of “how to be a good citizen” questions. They asked me about the four duties of a citizen. I named all four, and they asked me to explain what the duty of tax paying was. They asked what I would do if North Korea attacked, if I would run away to America or stay in Korea. I said I’d hide with my baby somewhere safe, like Busan. They asked what type of government Korea had, and who the “owners” of Korea were. They asked if the freedom of democracy came with any kinds of responsibilities, and what those responsibilities were. They also asked why people were not allowed to reject the government’s authority.

Then they asked me some Korean history questions. I explained what Korean independence day was, and when it was. They asked me about the unification of the Three Kingdoms, they asked about Yi Soon Shin and King Sejong. They also asked me which kind of money Yi Soon Shin was on, but I didn’t know. Fortunately I knew where King Sejong was.

Finally, they asked me about trash collection, important phone numbers, and reserved seating on buses and trains.

And then I was done! They told me I could go, and to raise my baby well.
The interview took less than 15 minutes.

I fumbled my Korean a lot and had to ask the interviewers to rephrase questions at least three times. They also spoke very quickly, which made things a bit tough, but I managed to get through all right. I have heard they are planning to tighten the Korean ability requirements, but I don’t know what that means.

My text message arrived the next morning at 9 AM. My husband called immigration to ask what to do next, and they said, next you wait 2-3 years for your documents to all be approved. I’ve heard it’s faster if you have a baby, but the backlog on applications is getting longer and longer, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it were two.

My spoken Korean is not too bad, around a level 4 TOPIK, but I would say I am about on par conversationally with your average Korean first grader.

[TDC troll]

How long have you been waiting now , Layna ?
I took the oral examination in March of 2013.
I was told that I passed the next day .

I was told to wait 6~12 months .
In December of 2013 , I was contacted , and told to come to immi.
The officer had my wife and I , sit in seperate rooms and answer the
same 2 pages of questions .
After , we sat down together and had an interview .

I was told to wait a few more months .

About a week later , the same officer contacted me and
asked me to bring a credit report from a bank ( these are available
from any bank ) .
I was told to wait again .

Still waiting ................

[laynamarya]

I just had my interview a couple weeks ago.

Hoping to have citizenship by the time the next presidential election comes up...

[rococobean]

Thanks for posting such a detailed description, Layna.

Some of the questions seem very politically based and not exactly directly related with general Korean life, but this is to be expected.

I've never taken the TOPIK myself but I'm guessing I'm a confident 3 anyway. Since I won't be able to take this exam for a few years anyhow there's still time to study and focus on conversational Korean. I'm guessing this is what they are most focused on anyhow, by making sure you can function by yourself in general situations (not very good if you're someone like me who always lets their S.O deal with that kind of stuff though ).

I hope you'll have your citizenship very soon.

PS. Did you have to deal with the U.S embassy in anyway? Such as asking why you're seeking duel citizenship or some related questions?

[Princess Soraya]

Laynamarya: Thank you for that. Very useful for those of us who may want to attempt the process in the future.

[tob55]

It's been a little while since I last posted in this thread, and it is good to see others who have taken the streps towards citizenship. There are some changes that have happened this year. When I received my citizenship in 2013 the process for receiving your National ID card was fairly seamless. Go down to the Dong or Gu Office, take the final trip out to the local immigration office, come back, get your fingerprints done, select a number, sign a few papers, receive a temporary paper form ID, and then wait for 10 days to receive the plactic card. Not anymore!

Now the notice people receive in the mail serves as the individual's ID for a period of up to two months while the card is being processed. I had a friend who recently received his naturalization, and he found out through the MOJ website that new policies have been put into place so that a final "re-checking" of all documents and personal information takes place once the naturalization has been processed.

This can create a few hassles with various agencies, especially considering the fact that certain things must be done within the first 10 - 30 days once naturalization has been completed, i.e. banks and public offices must be notified of the change of status and the new Korean National ID number. Not to mention that the local City Hall must be notified, and the new citizen must also obtain their legal Passport within a designated period of time.

So for those of you who are waiting for the notice in the mail, be aware that it is not as easy of a process as it was a short time ago.

[tob55]

[TDC troll]

Well , that's not good to hear .
I don't know why they make it more complicated .

Thanks for the info .

[tob55]

[chungbukdo]

If one violates a Korean law while abroad (such as gambling in Las Vegas), can a naturalized citizen be punished with jail and fines just like a regular Korean?

[tob55]

[TDC troll]

Well , I , finally recieved the naturalization notice in the mail .
It says that my next step is to go to the local office .
It took 18 months from the day of my oral interview .

Tob55 , I was wondering did you adopt a Korean name ?

Also what about some other things like : 1) driver's license ,
2) tax office 3) health insurance 4) pension office ?

Did you have to go to these offices in person to change all of
the information ?

[tob55]