Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gwangjuboy]

My supervisor (public school) told that I must submit my degree certificate for the umpteenth time today but I refused. Needless to say I had a heated exchange with my co-teacher who can't understand my position. I have given them details of my academic background countless times and I have had enough. What annoys me the most is the fact that last year I had to go all the way from East Seoul to Mokdong in order to verify my degree. I don't see why I should have to do it again.

[spliff]

Of course, your refusal will cast great doubt on the authenticity of your cherished parchment. Be ready for suspicious glances from other teachers at your school when this gets around.

[some waygug-in]

You shouldn't have to.... and come to think of it, this is exactly why everyone is so up in arms about the new regulations.

They are going to be pulling this crap not just for diploma verification, but medical checks, police checks and whatever else they can think of.

[Sody]

Make no mistake about it, you did the right thing Gwangjuboy! Why the hell should you have to take time and money out of your life just to follow some administrative crap that simply isn't necessary. Kudos to you!

Sody

[nomad-ish]

[Gwangjuboy]

I actually gave them the following letter too,

Dear Sir/Madame

I have submitted details of my academic background on numerous occasions this year despite the fact that Korean Immigration officials have already issued me with an E-2 visa � which included a thorough check of my diploma and transcripts - four times. Last year I was required to submit my diploma to a special department based at the Mokdong Immigration Office which was set up in response a number of E-2 visa holders who had forged their diplomas. I have graduated from university and my diploma is genuine. I cannot understand why I must continuously verify my academic credentials on an almost monthly basis after an agency of the Ministry of Justice has already issued me with a work permit and verified that I have graduated from university. If the Provincial Office of Education has any queries regarding this matter I urge them to contact the immigration office, which is in possession of all the related documents.

[Ronald]

The best thing you all can do is be versatile and go with the flow. Just shut your mouths and nod okay. Why complain and cause a problem? Don't rock the boat and cause problems here and your life will be much easier and you will not compromise your pay.

[lastat06513]

This can work 2 ways:

1st- If you submitted to their demands, you would be slowly and surely be demanded to jump time and time again to prove your validity to the school and to Korea. So in that sense, you did the right thing.

2nd- Because you didn't submit to their request, yes people might think suspiciously of you and begin to question your integrity and the validity of your qulaifications, no matter how many times before you did vindicate yourself by providing your qualifications for review.

It can be a crap shoot, but in all honesty, you might have done a good thing, as long as other people are willing to follow suite.........which in the case of many people here, won't be the case....

Unfortunately, I would be the first to say that the support you recieve here is only "lip service" until others are willing and able to follow in your example.

[tob55]

I have to applaud the OPs efforts. I am next in line to follow through with this. I have been in Korea 4 years now and had to verify the same degree and personal information 5 times, even though I have been continuously employed with the same school for three of the four years. I informed my school the last time that if they should ask for verification again in the future they should be prepared to go ahead and fire me, because I was not going to submit them anymore. My CT made a copy of the documents and said they would do their best to keep track of them. We'll wait to see what happens. Enough hoop jumping for this pony. Not going to do it anymore. As for the background check. I was checked and clean when I arrived four years ago, I have not broken any Korean laws and certainly could have gotten a criminal record back in the States while being here, so I will not submit another. They will just have to give me my pension and send me on my way.

[Roch]

[sojourner1]

Oh man, this is one conservative thinking country. It's kinda like you're the only one with a red car in a small Midwestern town and the cops pull you over regularly to check your license and other various ridiculous intimidating checks again and again. Of course, comparing Korea to western country is like comparing a red chili pepper to an Idaho russet potato.

I am not sure I want to be subjected to all this scrutiny if joining public school or teaching another year in Korea.

I think the OP did the right thing from a western perspective, but resisting authority in Korea is negatively looked down upon and will result in fouled up relations and more unpleasant experiences. I know it's tough to understand and cope with as I have had my strange and confusing trials.

[hogwonguy1979]

i got a name for this now:

WWW

Walking While Waygook

OP: way to go

I assume you were playing Quiet Riot's "Were not gonna take it" while writing that letter

[cdninkorea]

[gangpae]

You're angry. You're hot under-the-collar about repeating the same task for the umpteenth time. I know it seems completely idiotic to confirm a diploma that you've confirmed several times before but you should think of a few things first: There probably are very few bureaucrats at immigration or with the school system who are fluent in English. So handling these confirmations, collating the information for future use, etc., might not be that easy. From what I've heard regarding the new regulations this will probably be the last time you'll have to do it, cross our fingers. Most importantly, this isn't annoying for you alone. It sucks for everyone involved.
That being said if you refuse, especially if your degree has previously been verified they just might let it slide. But that is 'might' and considering the recent 'issues' they might not. You're not at hogwan, the school doesn't need a native teacher.
Best advice - Just Do it!

[Unposter]

Cool! I'm the first to say that it is Twisted Sister's "We're not Going to Take it!"

What are you going to do with your life?

I'm going to Rock!!!