Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Seoul Skye]

Dear Readers:

This is Min Seong-jae from the JoongAng Daily Newspaper. After I ran a blood donation story, I learned that many foreigners in Korea are being rejected when they try to donate blood to the Korean Red Cross's donation centers. I called the Red Cross and it insisted that foreigners' blood is no different from Koreans' and is well accepted in donation stations.

Our newsroom has decided to run a follow-up story. I would be grateful if you could please let me know about some of the experiences/anecdotes of you or your friends:

- When, where, and how were you or your friends rejected while trying to donate blood?
- How did you feel after the rejection?
- Why do you think you were rejected?
- How are Korea's blood donation practices different from those of your countries?
- What are the other difficulties you've encountered in donating blood in Korea?

I would appreciate if you reply to this mail. Your stories will help redress the inappropriate practices of the Red Cross and other blood collection agencies.

Also, could you give me your background information e.g. names, origins, ages, and occupations in Korea. If you would not like to give out the information, then please let me know so that we can make you anonymous in the story. Also, if you prefer, I can call you for an interview. In that case, please let me know your phone number.

Thank you very much and I am lookin forward to hearing from you.


Min Seong-jae
Staff Writer/National Desk
JoongAng Daily-International Herald Tribune

Tel) 019-383-8837, 751-9278
Fax) 751-9219

[BTM]

Excellent. My respect for that paper continues to grow.

[The Lemon]

Mine as well. I hope the story we've heard is, in fact, true, and not just waeguk bar talk. There is evidence to support "no blood from foreigners" story - that line in the Lonely Planet guide says as much.

But full ups to the paper and this reporter for looking into it.