Korean Job Discussion Forums

Snowkr · Joined: 03 Jun 2005

Now what's going on?

I know all about the criminal background check and I'm all for it. They should have mandated this a long time ago but better late than never.

My co-teacher told me that are requiring another degree check in addition to the criminal check. Supposedly they want to see something online to prove that the degree was issued and authorized by the university we're claiming to have graduated from.

I thought the thing they did a few weeks ago using that database and alumni list was supposed to clear all this up! How many times are we going to have to verify our degrees?

On a positive note, I think it's great that the Korean government is finally realizing that predators are using E2 visas to get at children. The circumstances are unfortunate but at least their eyes have finally been opened by this guy in the news.

I think Oprah's been trying to expose this EFL teacher/child predator thing for quite some time now...

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Snowkr · Joined: 03 Jun 2005

got it.

I'm still wondering what is up with this latest degree verification thing though...!

thu_tinh · Joined: 27 Sep 2006

i am being asked for degree verificiation again. and i already did it! they gotten a letter from my university, a page printed from the alumni directory, transcripts, photos from graduation...i don't know what else i can give them.

and with this whole background check i am a bit confused. i had a criminal record check before coming to korea. immigration has a letter, and the school board has a letter.

my teacher says to do the criminal check on the internet. is that even possible?

xCustomx · Joined: 06 Jan 2006

Smee · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: Jeollanam-do

I'd really like to see people standing up for themselves here. If it's inconvenient or insulting, politely decline. I did. They already have all the information they need, so the only reason to as for it again is to demontrate authority.

oxfordstu · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Location: Bangkok

My criminal background check took about 3 weeks to do in California. 3 years ago I did it for another job and it took 5 minutes. It depends on where you're from I guess and how strict the rules have become.

I have transcripts and my degree, but my verification I only have one sealed copy left, and I really don't want to give it to them because I may need it for next year if I apply to another job outside of Korea. My university says it will take 3 weeks to send it, and then my parents have to mail it to Korea, so that's at least another week.

But anything can be faked, including the degree verification. The only way to make sure is to have them call up the university registrar and ask about your status (ie: did he graduate). But somehow I doubt that will happen.

icnelly · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Location: Bucheon

Yeah, got the 2nd round today as well. My CT just found out about it though. It had 2 parts: first was another degree verification thing through different websites: for my state (NY) it was www.msache.org

and there was something about a criminal check, but she didn't exactly understand what it was asking. Funny, I had provided a criminal check already to my recruiter when I was applying, so either they need it again, or that info didn't make it to the MOE.

regicide · Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Location: United States

Luna · Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Location: seoul suburbs

Young FRANKenstein

Jizzo T. Clown · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Location: at my wit's end

Yes I was told about this this morning. My CT was informed on Friday that today is the deadline. He's as sick of it as I am. I said I would do what I could to help him out. I gave him the number to the registrar's office at my university but the time difference makes it impossible to call.

He said this time the verification is needed for government officials. I asked why if they were government officials couldn't they just give immi a call.

In the end he filled out the necessary paperwork with the necessary responses. I felt bad for him because he spent all morning trying to figure out how to verify something again without doing the same thing he did last time. What a pain in the ass. Evil or Very Mad

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:53 pm Post subject:

oxfordstu · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Location: Bangkok

Snowkr · Joined: 03 Jun 2005

You've gotta feel sorry for these Korean co-teachers. Most them probably have no clue what's going on with this latest "check" but they're trying to do their jobs and communicate with their f/t's while having someone bigger breathing down their necks.

I really pity my co-teacher. She has enough to deal with without this latest... I won't even say it.

Apparantly there are 3 approved websites that GEPIK has issued as sources for verifying that degrees awarded by our universities are legit. My co-teacher told me this morning that if my degree can't be proved authentic by an accredited university in Australia, the U.S./Canada.. etc... I can be "sued".

So now they're suing us?