Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Roch]

I made an aside to a middle-aged man about being worried that my school's principal may not give me a Letter of Release as promised because, well, the country is quite corrupt in its dealings with waegooks. The guy became very angry and told me to watch what I say because I could get severely beaten for "saying false things about Korea." He then went on to say that this country is less corrupt than most nations in the West.

I pointed out to the guy that ALL of the Korean television news programs and English-language newspapers and many of the most famous ones around the world constantly run stories and editorials about the Republic being a very corrupt place and xenephobic, etc. The labour thing then went into a tirade about how all of the newspapers and television news programs are incorrect because the government is "doing a a good job" keeping corruption at a very low level, etc.

How many of you agree with this guy?

[Keepongoing]

He is not going to agree with you even if he knows it is true. It is his country and Koreans are very nationalistic, and I believe are often in denial, at least with foreigners. It is not very tactful, though you would expect that the Labor Board has heard all the horror stories and would be the first to admit that the hogwan system hurts the image of their fine nation. (being sarcastic.)

[tob55]

While I don't agree with his opening both barrels on you, I think the whole issue of corruption and other things are making the labor people here somewhat touchy...Lesson learned about what not to say, even in passing...Pass it off and move one...you did nothing wrong and he was probably just having a bad day...Cheers

[Roch]

Actually, come to think of it, he asked me why I was worried about not getting the letter. So, I then told him why.

R

[tob55]

They don't always see what is important as being important to them...You have a legitimate concern, and were simply asking a questions...But, as I said they were probably just having a bad day to start with...Keep the chin up and good luck in your endeavors...

[oldfatfarang]

Minor corruption isn't a big problem in Korea. But big money certainly changes hands higher up the food chain.

I mistakenly offered a 10,000 won 'thank you present' to a Post Office lady last year. She wasn't keen to help me (rules etc), but I convinced her into going across the street to the Thai Embassy and picking up my passport and posting it to me. I thought 10,000 won was appropriate - but she got really offended. Oops - this isn't Thailand.

[mack4289]

deleted

[garykasparov]

[Whistleblower]

One man's meat is another man's poison.

[ChopChaeJoe]

It was a pretty passive-agressive tack to take with the worker, dont you think?

[Paddycakes]