Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Derrek]

Apparently there has been a big crackdown on the illegals living here from other countries. My korean friends were talking about it, and one of them who lives in Itaewon said that they have seen tons of africans stopped, checked, and taken away in the past week.

That's all I know. Anyone hear anything else or see the actual news story?

[Tiger Beer]

Hmm.. I haven't heard of this.. but just curious.. do people carry around ID with them just in case to confirm they are legal?

I've never had anyone ask me if I was legal before.. and just wondering if others have..

[Son Deureo!]

I've never been asked before if I'm legal, nor ever been stopped by any agent of the state for any reason in Korea. Regardless, I think it's always good policy to carry your waygook card with you wherever you go as ID. You'll need it, or your passport, anytime you need to cash a supyo or make a bank transaction, or if you ever get hit by a car or get into another accident it's good to have ID so that you can be identified and your friends/family/employer can be contacted.

A friend of mine was recently hassled by MPs because he looked like an AWOL GI. Showing his alien card kept him from getting hauled off by the MPs.

[Marathe]

I heard that in like 2 weeks anyone who's caught and found to be in the country illegally is getting a three year bit slapped on them.

a teacher in knew in ulsan had to leave the country cuz his russian girlfriend was in korea illegally and had to leave before the deadline or face jail.

ludakris.

[Mr. Pink]

Back in the IMF days I got ID'd by a cop in my local little dong. Cop said some neighbors ratted out that foreigners lived in the same building, and he was just checking to see if I was legal. Also wanted to know where other "foreigners" lived.

I told him that the "GU" office should have us all registered and if he had problems call my hawgwon.

Back in those days Koreans probably blamed every white face for their crappy accounting practices. Hence they call it the IMF era instead of the "Chaebol screwed up Era".

I always carry my alien ID card with me, as you never know, and I usually need it when opening new video store accounts or signing up for something on the the spur of the moment.

There are SO many illegals in this country, even if they do a 'sweep" and boot out a few thousand it won't dent the # of illegals. I read a stat from about 10 years ago there were 240,000 foreigners in Korea, of that 60-70% were illegal workers doing 3D jobs.

[Derrek]

I've been asked maybe 3 times by GI's and once by Korean cops, because I look like military and live in Itaewon (so am here a lot and out at night). An E-2 card is all you need to show. In all instances, it was because it was after curfew time, and they were checking for that.

[OiGirl]

You were asked only because you are Derrek.

[komtengi]

[kimcheeking]

You are required by Korean law to have either your passport or your ARC on you at all times.

[Medic]

Was an article in the paper recently about how understaffed the immigration department is. Seems that those who get caught are the really unlucky ones.

[Joe Thanks]

[Ryst Helmut]

[just because]

In regards to the OP.
The reason for this is that for the 3d workers it was found that most of them were illegal so they decided to give them a grace period. If they came out and declared themselves they are given a 2 or 3 year work visa but have to leave after this. Apparantly(according to arirang -- yeah right) about 75% have come foward and are now legal. So the remainder are apparently going to be hunted down by the government and deported and not allowed back in. While this is a good idea as small and medium business can continue to pay very low wages (and mostly treat their employees like crap) you know it is just a publicity stunt to make the government look better. if these people got in under cover before they will do it agian.
Anyway, good luck to the 3D's, they have it 10 times harder than us.

[Seoultrader]

[The Lemon]