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It's Official, New Visa Checks
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Whistleblower



Joined: 03 Feb 2007

PostPosted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 1:48 am    Post subject: It's Official, New Visa Checks Reply with quote

There is going to be Visa regulations from December for natives wishing to teach in Korea. I see the positive aspect of this policy to tighter the screening for potential teachers. however some potential teachers could be put off with their teaching career in Korea.

Nonetheless, will this regulation be effective? Will it be possible to interview all potential teachers when they apply for their E2 Visa? Just seems unworkable.

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2007/10/117_12672.html

Quote:
Visa Rule Tightened for Foreign Instructors

By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

From December, foreigners will have to submit diplomas and police check documents, when applying for a visa to get a job as foreign language instructor here.

In addition, they will be required to have an interview with a Korean consular official to work to teach in that capacity, the Ministry of Justice announced Saturday.

The tightened visa rule, however, has loopholes in it as it will not screen foreigners entering Korea as tourists and getting jobs as language instructors. The latest plan may see many foreigners visiting Korea as tourists with the purpose of finding a job here.

It is estimated that 16,000 foreigners are registered as language instructors. However, the actual number could be as high as 30,000.
From now on, those with criminal records involving sex offences, narcotics and diploma fabrication will not have their visas renewed, a Ministry spokesman said.

He added that a special department will be created in the Justice Ministry to verify documents, especially academic records of foreigners.

The wrongdoings of unqualified foreign instructors have been a headache for the government. Earlier this month, Interpol arrested Christopher Paul Neal, a Canadian English instructor, who fled to Korea after sexually abusing dozens of boys in Thailand. He had worked at an international school in Gwangju until Oct. 11 before he was arrested in Thailand.

In July, Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office punished two Australian and Canadian English instructors on drug charges. A Korea Foreign Teacher Recruiting Association recently blacklisted two alcoholics and five sexual harassment offenders.

The spokesman said the new regulation will help differentiate the majority of talented and qualified foreign language instructors from unqualified teachers and those with criminal records.

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Milwaukiedave



Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Location: Goseong

PostPosted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 1:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here's the part I find downright funny:

Quote:
A Korea Foreign Teacher Recruiting Association recently blacklisted two alcoholics and five sexual harassment offenders.


The KFTRA said it, therefore it must be true.
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Smee



Joined: 24 Dec 2004
Location: Jeollanam-do

PostPosted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 1:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Except for the interview with the consular official---haha, I'm sure those bureaucrats are really looking forward to this---I don't see anything different from what's in place now.

That KFTRA is poison.
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SPINOZA



Joined: 10 Jun 2005
Location: $eoul

PostPosted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 2:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

the article in the OP wrote:
From now on, those with criminal records involving sex offences, narcotics and diploma fabrication will not have their visas renewed, a Ministry spokesman said.


It wouldn't do the writer and the Ministry spokesman much harm to research what 'narcotics' actually means.
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Beej



Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Location: Eungam Loop

PostPosted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 2:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

What about people finding a job in korea and then going on a visa run to Japan? I guess the consulate workers in Fukuoka better bone up on their English interview skills. Also looks like these teachers will be getting a few days in Japan as the interviews will take some time.

And if you are no where near a Korean consulate back home, it will mean an extra airtrip to the nerarest one. Pass this cost on to the school owners.
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Julius



Joined: 27 Jul 2006

PostPosted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 2:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
"Interview with a consular official".


Rolling Eyes what will this entail exactly...
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Beej



Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Location: Eungam Loop

PostPosted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 2:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

On a related note, my organization, For America's Greatness, or F.A.G, has blacklisted tens of thousands of Korean hookers, gangsters, bear poachers, mass murderers, and used tampon thieves.

We hope to differentiate between these corruptors of American values and the decent talented Korean dry cleaners and grocery store workers.
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twg



Joined: 02 Nov 2006
Location: Getting some fresh air...

PostPosted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 2:30 am    Post subject: Re: It's Official, New Visa Checks Reply with quote

Whistleblower wrote:
Nonetheless, will this regulation be effective?

No.
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Bibbitybop



Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 2:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The interviews will be a headache for officials and teachers. Even a criminal can give the right answers and pass.

"Do you like little boys in a sexual manner?"
"No."
"Here's your visa."
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isthisreally



Joined: 01 Sep 2007

PostPosted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 3:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bibbitybop wrote:
The interviews will be a headache for officials and teachers. Even a criminal can give the right answers and pass.

"Do you like little boys in a sexual manner?" (In broken English)
"No."
"Here's your visa." (In broken English)
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Yesterday



Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Land of the Morning DongChim (Kancho)

PostPosted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 3:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

This story has already been covered here -

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=102924

and here

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=103211

do we really need a third and fourth thread on the same news article?...
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guido



Joined: 13 Sep 2006

PostPosted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 3:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

do we really need a board nazi dictating how many times we can talk about something?
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hogwonguy1979



Joined: 22 Dec 2003
Location: the racoon den

PostPosted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 3:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

talk about going after a mosquito with a sledge hammer Rolling Eyes

i'll believe it when i see it
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itaewonguy



Joined: 25 Mar 2003

PostPosted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 3:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

yeah great.. but I doubt that Peter jackson had a record prior to coming here anyway!! this is not really gonna do anything...
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JongnoGuru



Joined: 25 May 2004
Location: peeing on your doorstep

PostPosted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:28 am    Post subject: Re: It's Official, New Visa Checks Reply with quote

Korea Times reporter wrote:
The wrongdoings of unqualified foreign instructors have been a headache for the government. Earlier this month, Interpol arrested Christopher Paul Neal, a Canadian English instructor, who fled to Korea after sexually abusing dozens of boys in Thailand. He had worked at an international school in Gwangju until Oct. 11 before he was arrested in Thailand.

A side point: Despite the story running nonstop all over the world for the past two weeks, they still get his name wrong. Boy, that instills real confidence in these people's (K-press, K-immi, K-kops, K-employers) keen attention to crucial details in sensitive cases that can determine your fate.

My main point: Why do they keep lumping CPN in with "unqualified foreign instructors"? He's charged with far greater crimes than forging a degree, a crime which apparently he didn't do, so what makes him an unqualified foreign instructor? What if anything would there be in his personal records that these new rules & requirements would uncover that would've rendered him "unqualified" to teach Koreans in anyone's eyes?

A Chosun Ilbo reporter recently wrote:
Lawmakers said Wednesday that the new law will scrutinize the criminal and medical histories of all education work visa applicants before a visa is granted.

Verifying diplomas: Understandable, even if they do enforce it in an illogical, haphazard way.

Running police checks: Also understandable, in principle, though don't expect Koreans to grasp or sympathise with how long it takes for some people.

Checking medical histories: This one I don't really understand. Are they using "medical" as a euphemism for "psychiatric/mental health" records? (What's that? You take medication for depression? BUZZZZZZ!! Yer fired!) Or is it they're afraid of waegooks with weak tickers keeling over in front of students and scaring them?


Last edited by JongnoGuru on Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:31 am; edited 1 time in total
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