Korean Job Discussion Forums

[climb4life]

Hello,

My name is Bryan. I have worked in Korea for the last year. During that time, I was in a car accident. I had full insurance and my car was registered. I did not flee the scene and I was not drunk. I paid my fine and I apologized. I believed everything was ok! The police officers, my employer and the justice departmet told me I did everything right and even thanked me for paying my fine and not just leaving the country!

I was awarded a job at a University near Daegu. I was awarded an E-1 visa based on my job experience and career expertise. My wife and I have a newborn baby and have planned to raise her in Daegu together.

But, today I was contacted by my employer and they told me the Minstry of Justice rejected my visa! Their reason was I had a CRIMINAL RECORD?? They told me a car accident represents a criminal offense, therefore I was not allowed to work in Korea.

I am wondering if there is a way to appeal this decision? I am an upstanding citizen with a clean background in America and many references from friends and employers here in Korea.

This was my dream job! We have spent the last 3 months planning for this part of our life.

And now we are told we cannot live in Korea, because of a car accident. I don't understand...do I have any options??

I can not believe that after making a mistake (an illegal left turn), then doing everything else right, taking responsibitlity for my mistake and paying the fine. Korea responds by kicking me out. Is there anyone I can talk to or appeal to??

I am flying to Korea on Wednesday to try and appeal this situation and plead my case to any one who will listen. Where should I start? I am an honest person, with a family and a clean record in my home country, but here in Korea, I'm viewed as a criminal....

Please help me.

[polonius]

Try contacting this guy:

Mr. Choi,

Ministry of Justice

Resident Policy Section

02-500-9068

[email protected]

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Ouch. Bad deal.

[climb4life]

I have sent a few emails to a few people in the Ministry, including the address you just gave me. Thank you for the suggestion. I'll let you know what they say.

Thanks again for the email....any other email addresses, that anyone has would be great, I'm just trying to get the ball rolling here, downhill in my direction finally.

Bryan

[MissSeoul]

[waltjocketty]

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Well, I talked to K Immi. back in Dec. and they told me that applicants cannot have ANY criminal record. This contradicts their earlier statements about only excluding molesters and fraudsters but what else is new? And yes, in Korea traffic violations are crimes. Stealing billions of dollars and hiding in another country is fine. (See The-Chaebol-Formerly-Known-as-Daewoo for more info.)

[Mi Yum mi]

I picked my nose in public and found that on my criminal record. I guess Korea doesn't want you and your terrible driving skills here. All Koreans are perfect drivers and never get into accidents.

[climb4life]

My employer has actually been great. He has been working day and night, and contacting everyone he knows, but they all say the same thing. The new rules seem to be set in stone. Despite that on the immigration website they say they are considering easing the regulations a bit to help employers.....well this is one opportunity.

I have to come back to pick up all of my stuff I left there, when we thought we were coming back anyway. So, I'm going to give it a try myself....otherwise who knows. If anyone has any email addresses or contact info of someone who might help, please let me know.

Thanks again everyone
Bryan

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Lose your passport, come back as someone else, get a job at a different uni.

[spliff]

^But the OP is above board.

[R. S. Refugee]

There are a couple of sources that I always recommend to people for help. These may or may not be of any use to you.

1. Korea Legal Aid Corporation. Free legal assistance for those who qualify. You probably qualify. However, no English speakers there so you'll need translation help.

2. Seoul Migrant Center. Free assistance. I have a counselor who is very helpful and gets me the correct answers when other professionals have given me incorrect info.

Phone numbers for both of these can be obtained by googling.

Good luck. That sucks.

This should serve as a cautionary tale for all E-2s who are driving in Korea. I use public transit myself, but I realize that people with children often prefer to have cars.

[captain kirk]

OP, were you given a piece of paper saying that you had been charged with a cirminal offence?

I'm asking because the cops have pulled me over a couple of times for minor infractions. Asked for my I.D., gave me a warning looking very imposing. They used their phones to consult with higher ups on the spot (bored I guess).

For a traffic violation to go on record (and traffic violation is a crime, apparently) would you be given a paper/ticket? If not then I assume it's dismissed with a warning. But the cops WERE plugging my I.D. into their phone/handheld.

The situation was a bit of mountain road where the police were driving along at the speed limit which they said was 40km/hr. There are NO signs up. Nobody drives so slow on that road, ever. Cars were lined up behind the police car poking along. I passed and the police got in a flap.

[bassexpander]

This is very, very scary.

I'm hoping this is a troll.

[mindmetoo]

Yeah I did read car accidents are a crime. And libel is a criminal offense too. Korea sparkling.