Korean Job Discussion Forums

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I am on my second contract in Korea (not counting the two that went South because the schools died) and my degree is nowhere to be found. My recruiter lost it, and won't return my calls. He won't even answer the phone, and I'm not getting any e-mails back, either.

I do have a photocopy from my University, along with a letter from them with an embossed stamp from their office stating that I do have a degree.

I was told this would not work in Korea. Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? Even though I have proof of having the documents in the past two years, I have this fear that they still would demand an actual original degree.

I am giving the recruiter a few more days to respond to me. If he doesn't, I'll post his name.

BTM · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Back in the saddle.

Derreked again!

My god, man, you gotta be the unluckiest person I've ever 'known'.

Get in touch with your university, get a replacement original sent ASAP. Shouldn't cost much, they all do it. And do post that recruiter's info if you can't get an answer out of him.

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

Damn man. What is up with your karma? Did you kill someone in a past life?

Coffeecup · Joined: 30 Jun 2003

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

Derrek...I think you should dtart over in another country, maybe japan. You have had a shocking amount of luck here in Korea. Find out where he is located and just go to him and go ape.

Duder · Joined: 23 Sep 2003

Ya..I agree with the above poster...go into his office and start out on the offensive right away. Don't take it. Use me and the poster above as a way to rationalize kicking his ass.
Good luck

kimcheeking · Guest

first off, get a replacement degree underway from your university. This takes time and costs money (25$ at my university).

then go following advice of the other posters go in to his office. Don't be strong to begin with, start firm and increase the heat during the visit. If nothing happens leave and let him know that you will be going to the police to charge him with theft of property or negligence or whatever is appropriate.

Take a Korean friend to the nearest police station and press charges. Let the police know the seriousness of the matter (no paper, no job for you). When dealing with the police be polite and deferential, they like that. If you go in angry and upset they will treat you like a buffoon and deservedly so. respect begets respect.

If you have trouble with your local police there is a foreigner police station in Chungmuro. At the very minimum it has a department to deal with foreigners and their problems. big sign outside the station. You can find that station by getting off at Chungmuro station exit 5 (?) walk past the Kuk-dong building turn right and walk about 3 blocks, maybe a little more. It will be on your left. If you go past the church you have gone to far. Actually the Church and the police station are next to each other with the church stretching around behind the station.

KK

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003

bjonothan · Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Location: All over the place

If he says he can't give it back, kick his ass!!! The get out of the country while you can and start in a country where this s*** doesn't happen....Sounds like you are not meant to have good luck here....lol

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Location: Middle Land

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

Basil Brush · Joined: 13 Apr 2003

If the recruiter has not provided an address or he/she is too far away, consider sending an e-mail outlining your intentions to make deframatory statements, to which he may attempt to claim damages.

But if he/she hasn't got it or you don't make contact with him/her and it's urgent, then phone your University and ask how long it would take for you to receive it. It's worth finding out how urgent it is first; the more urgent it is, the more it will cost to send.

Then tell your boss how long it will take to get another degree and ask him/her to deal with the matter. He/she will tell you how urgent it is.

Then phone your University again, explain the urgency of the situation and ask for the degree to be sent to you.

As to contacting the police, well, the police are here to ensure that the laws set by government are abided by. There's no law on loosing something. The police will see this as a Civil matter and will not help.

Via the small claims court, you can only claim for the cost to issue and receive the degree, which may not be worth the time and trouble to start and finish the process.

Son Deureo! See http://www.scourt.go.kr/english/civil.html

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Location: Middle Land

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

The good news is that I finally got an answer from my University. They can do a new one for me for $20.

The problem will be solved soon.

This whole incident is quite unfortunate. The recruiter got me a great school, and helped me through some tough visa issues. It's a bummer they won't call me back.

chi-chi · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Me and Derrek are the most accident prone posters on here. I think he's following my karma or something.