Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I'm writing the following level to several Canadian news agencies hoping that someone other than Korean media will take an interest in the matter. Any suggestions would be welcomed, even if I disagree.



There is a case in Busan at the moment that might be of interest to foreign media. Nine foreigners, including a Canadian national, put on an amateur performance to an audience of about 100 poking fun at ex-patriot life in Korea. Apparently a few Koreans who thought it went too far in criticising Korean culture reported it to police. Police investigated and the performers were accused of violating two areas of Korean law.

First, they are accused of breaking immigration law by working in a capacity other than teaching. However, this was an amateur performance and none of them were paid for it. They were not accepting employment in any way.

Secondly, they are accused of violating Korean law by staging a performance without the approval of the Korean Media Rating Board. I was unaware that such a board exists, and that if it did, amateur, community-centre plays would have to get its approval; but if such is the case, it would be in violation of the Korean Constitution, which promises free speech to all citizens.

(Article 21 [Speech, Press, Assembly, Association, Honor, Public Morals]
(1) All citizens enjoy the freedom of speech and the press, and of assembly and association.
Source - http://www.oefre.unibe.ch/law/icl/ks00000_.html)

Although the Korean Media Rating Board has been mentioned in the press, as far as I have been informed the amateur performers are facing charges of violating immigration laws. The fact that they are being charged with violating immigration law after being extensively questioned by police about the content of the play indicates a selective enforcement of immigration law. I have never heard of foreigners on work visas being charged with employment violations for performing in an amateur production.

That this has transpired comes as a great disappointment given Korea�s pretensions to being a modern, advanced nation at the �hub of Asia�. We see that Koreans, who often tolerate racist mockery of foreigners (especially Africans) in their media and schools, are not willing to tolerate foreigners making jokes about dog soup, corrupt businessmen, or being stared at in Korea. However, more distressing than a double standard from people who can give but not take mockery, is the fact that legal means can still be used in Korea to silence or prevent criticism. I am confident that there are many Koreans who would feel likewise (it would be great to interview them and have their perspectives known); unfortunately there are few means here to rally against such violations of free speech motivated by racial prejudice.

I think it would make an interesting article to investigate this matter and challenge the extent to which basic human rights exist in Korea. It would be useful to investigate just what the Korean Media Rating Board is, what falls under its jurisdiction, and when and why its regulations are enforced. Is this an agency that is regularly used to keep foreign views and influences out of Korea? I can say from personal experience that if the nine foreigners in Busan violated this law, so have my students and I. My students and I have written sketches to be performed in front of larger audiences than the one in Busan and the idea of running them through a censor�s office would have seemed absurd.

Next, it would be interesting to investigate why on earth people with teaching visas would be accused of violating employment laws by performing in an ephemeral amateur production that does not in fact constitute employment. While it might be time-consuming, it would surely be possible to find examples of Koreans in Canada on work or student visas doing similar types of things as an example of international comparative standards. If foreigners in Korea cannot perform in an amateur play, what else can they not do in their free time? Are they not allowed to play on amateur soccer teams or in amateur bands? Are there no clubs or activities they can join or do in their free time? The absurdity of arguing that they broke labour law clearly stems from a desire to deny free speech to and discriminate against foreigners. If Korea is to make pretensions of being an advanced nation to the international community the international media would do well to point out to Koreans where they are falling terribly short of doing so.

I have been in contact with several members of the amateur theatre trop that performed in Busan and could likely put you in direct contact with them. I strongly urge you to consider investigating this matter, and not just for negative reasons. Korea does have the potential to be an advanced nation and weeding out some persistent and inherent racism is one thing that will have to happen before it does so. Many westerners only hear of North Korea on the news and have no idea what a prosperous, ambitious country lies to the south. Westerners would do well to see that right in the middle of one of the world�s perceived trouble spots lies a nation that is on the edge of being a very advanced, free country and perhaps just needs a little push to get there. Furthermore, thousands of Canadians currently live in Korea, mostly working as English teachers, and tens of thousands of Canadians have worked in Korea over the past decade and would have quite a strong interest in this matter. If you have any questions or requests for information I would be more than happy to respond.

[DJTwoTone]

Haven't read what you wrote... I have a short attention span and got bored after the first few words... but... If you serious about getting attention drawn to the situation... Substitute American/Australian/what ever other nationalities participated for Canadian, and send it out to as many news outlets as you can in those countries also...

[Octavius Hite]

Better yet after you send it out to news agency's send it out to places like the ACLU and ACTRA they will be more effective in getting the media's attention. Also if you know the Canadian's hometown, contact the local newsroom directly and they may pick it up and then it may get to the national news (just like those boneheads from Port Hawksbury who broke the Ajosshi's jaw and had to get bought of jail), that made the news in Canada.

Then if a story does get out make sure you e-mail the link/video to VANK so that the Koreans know they are losing face in another country. That will generate some heat.

[poet13]

well-written...
spelling...."theatre trop that" troupe?

[hogwonguy1979]

both suggestions are great. I'll be in the states next week and will see what I can find out how we can get this out.

BTW I'll be in Austin where there is a large Korean population and a couple of Samsung plants so I'm sure there will be some people who can help

[the eye]

You should attach the newspaper article posted by Real Reality regarding legal discriimation in Korea.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Captain Corea]

Your link isn't working.

[RACETRAITOR]

Judging by the crucifixion complex I see in this letter, it's no wonder some Koreans thought this play was a little too critical of Korean society.

[Junior]

How about adding as an example/ reference, the recent case of a korean woman who made porn films in Canada?
She then was charged and fined on her return to korea for movies made in another country and not intended for distribution in korea.

The law was bent double to get away with that one. Obviously the crime of having sex with a foreigner anywhere on the planet earns a korean woman massive legal action if she returns to korea.


or how about the fact that korea ruled to go ahead with the massive saemangeum reclamation, the largest environmental destruction of its kind, in clear contravention of international conventions it had signed up to with respect to protecting many threatened species? they bent the law for that one too. the original law stated that only a project with a needed, clear end use could be allowed to continue. this was not the case at saemangeum.


the law is definitely an ass in korea.

[poet13]

"saemangeum reclamation"

What's this?

[The King of Kwangju]

Full disclosure: I work for a national broadcaster in Canada. I have a lot of media contacts here, at pretty much any national outlet you can name. I used to be an ESL teacher in Korea, so I sometimes hang out at Dave's to rest my brain.

I never even thought of bringing this story up at work. Here's why:

1) The 9 have not been charged so far. Interrogated, yes, but the play has not been censored, and neither have they

2) The whole drug angle may have more to do with the interrogation than censorship

I think this is an important story for expats in Korea, but not necessarily of national import to Canada. Right now it's still at the "tempest in a teapot" stage.

I might be wrong, though. I'll bounce it off some people at work today.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Real Reality]

[ajgeddes]