Korean Job Discussion Forums

[OculisOrbis]

Does anyone know what it would cost me to buy and install an aircon unit for a three bedroom sized apartment? New and/or used?

Also, What kind of increase in utility bill might result from mid-summer usage?

Thanks.

[OculisOrbis]

Ok, so no replies. Let me give some details that may encourage responses.

I arrived in Korea with promises of non-shared apartment. I arrived sept 1/06 and there was no air con in the apartment. My employers agreed that it would be installed before the next summer. A roommate was introduced temporarily in late Oct. and I agreed to the one month arrangement. He is still there. After, requesting my non-shared housing last month I was told that if non-shared was going to occur, I would have to give up the nice large apartment that I share and both of us would be moved to one rooms. I said I don't care where I live as long as it is alone and agreed.

One week later the director nixed the assistant directors agreement with me and asked me to complete the contract and at that time I would be the sole occupant of the apartment when I renewed. The reasoning was that they signed a one year deal for the apartment and would lose too much money to move us out. It was the assistant directors idea to give up the apartment and move both of us, rather than retaining the apartment and finding accommodations for just one person.

I pondered this for a week and went back to the director to explain how it would be possible for me to retain the apartment after the contract was complete and how it was NOT possible for me to have sole possession NOW. There was about 10 minutes of Korean discussion between the translator and two bosses before I was given any response to my seemingly simple question. Short answer response of "we don't have the budget now, but no matter where the money comes from - you will have sole possession of the apartment in Aug."

OK, so I had actually given up on single accommodation prior to this meeting, but was just fishing for the air con that I was promised - knowing that it would be a long drawn negotiation with twisted words and Korean logic. I played my "OK, I'll share the apartment, but the air con - that you promised - has to be installed."

More drawn out discussions in Korean - "Well, if we put air con in the apartment, it would cost us the same as giving it up and finding two single room apartments...." I responded with "Well, do what you have to do make the air con happen - you promised it, just like you promised single accommodation - and I agreed to sharing until Aug. If I have to live in an apartment without air con, I don't know if I will be able to complete the contract............I have a class to teach now."

End of meeting.

Updated by translator - they are thinking about it.