Korean Job Discussion Forums

stevemcgarrett · Joined: 24 Mar 2006

A friend of mine works at a language institute in the vicinity of Seoul. He's been there for three years and is generally regarded as a good, reliable EFL teacher. He had been enjoying his stay in Korea until a recent incident really rocked his world.

A few weeks ago two unidentified parents reported him to Immigration. They alleged that he was teaching part-time at a local hagwon. Summoned to the office on campus that deals with foreign teachers (he's Canadian), he was told he must report to Immigration immediately. The campus official escorted him to Immigration, whereupon he was instructed to read and sign some forms. No mention was made of being deported, or even running such a risk.

He was then taken to the office of the Vice President of the university and questioned about his supposed moonlighting. He vigorously denied doing so. The administrator demanded proof and the contact information for the hagwon owner, who confirmed his explanation, namely, that the hagwon owner is his friend, that he often goes there to meet the owner to have dinner nearby. Satisfied with what he heard, the administrator indicated the matter was closed.

Two days later, however, my friend was called into the office of the program coordinator, who is also a foreigner, and told in no uncertain terms that he had better not allow such a thing to be misconstrued again, although the coordinator readily admitted that the situation was grossly unfair. My friend was told that if such a rumor was reported by a local Korean again, it could very well result in his termination. My friend was also reminded that the burden of proof was squarely on his shoulders and that the upper Korean admins didn't take kindly to insinuations that some of their staff might be breaking the law.

Has anyone else heard of such a thing happening? Do some university language institute teachers risk losing their positions over unsubstantiated charges of moonlighting? What might prompt someone to make a false report from your experience? (I should add that nothing in his contract stipulates that foreign employees can be terminated for being the target of rumors of this sort, or for conducting themselves in such a way as to call the university's reputation into question).

Needless to say, this scene smells of rotting eggs.

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

Yep. If you're suspected of illegal teaching, the burden of proof is on you.
Cool, eh?

stevemcgarrett · Joined: 24 Mar 2006

So, eye, are you saying that this is "standard operating procedure" for universities or Korean labor law, or what?

Kinda makes this bruddah want to barf.

Oh, and one more thing: despite the fact that he provided ample evidence that he wasn't violating the terms of his contract, they still said he could get himself fired in the future.

Tell me it ain't so.

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

It's SOP for immigration. They require you to prove you are within your visa parameters.
Similarly, if a person quits few bad contracts, ie. schools that don't pay, he can be denied a new visa. Simply because he has a series of unfinished contracts.

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

This is just additional proof showing how the sentiment of foreign instructors is swiftly changing. People are more content with things in the mess that they are instead of working to make the working environment better all the way around...Too bad this happened, but don't expect this kind of thing to go away any time soon...In fact, I would contend that it will get much worse before it gets better...

Young FRANKenstein

yingwenlaoshi · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Location: ... location, location!

I would've told them to fk off if they kept giving me trouble. Especially that foreigner. "Do whatevet the fk you want!"

stevemcgarrett · Joined: 24 Mar 2006

young frankenstein wrote:

lastat06513 · Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:54 am Post subject:

According to Korean labor law, unfortunately, it stipulates that a person who works for an institute/school/universit CAN NOT hold any type of outside employment unless given permission by their current employer and with out an amendment to their E2 that will permit them to work at that specific second job (which is seldomly done because many schools want to have a monopoly on the foreigners they hire since it is their "cash cow"

So YOU should stay at the job that provided YOU with the work visa that allows YOU to work in Korea for THEM

The Perfect Cup of Coffee · Joined: 17 Jun 2007

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 3:31 pm Post subject:

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

"I was just having dinner with my hagwon owner friend at his place of business." That sounds a bit like "I bought the drugs but I wasn't going to smoke them... I just wanted to look at them closely."

That said, the mothers and the boss should cram it. If the guy does his job, isn't late, meets or exceeds the demands, then everyone concerned should just keep their trap shut and don't fix something that clearly isn't broke.

Frankly, it sounds like a couple mothers trying to get a discount or a refund and the boss having to cover his rump for a future assault. Because you can bet if there are two mothers this time, they'll bring 8 next time.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

Can anyone here confirm whether there really is a new program that offers around 500000 won to people who turn in a foreigner and they are prosecuted? If this is true, expect a lot more of this crap.

ED209 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006

Alyallen · Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 5:04 pm Post subject:

I wonder if he can sue them for libel?