Korean Job Discussion Forums

[billybrobby]

The laws in Korea differ from those in our home countries, and they differ in ways that might not seem logical or reasonable to us. Therefore, we might feel inclined to break them.

BUT, as some would argue, we are 'guests' in this country and we should obey all Korean laws.

BUT, clearly there is pervasive lawlessness in this country. There are entire sections of cities, operating day-in-and-day-out to provide services that are illegal, from pirate DVDs to prostitution. Well-to-do families and business men hire private English tutors. Even small things like motorcycles on sidewalks and beer in noraebangs erode the rule of law.

And it leads one to the conclusion that in Korean society lawlessness is integral, endemic, systematic and a few other big words. It's not just a matter of saying "They break the rules so it's OK for me to break the rules." It's that the rules are broken so often and so openly that the breaking the rules seems to BE the rule. It's a part of the system rather than some aberration.

What do you think, dear citizen?

[blurgalurgalurga]

I obey the laws in Korea with the same vigor and enthusiasm I use on the law back home.

[exit86]

I would agree.
A bit more precisely, one could say
that it is more a "subjective-enforcement" system of law.
This works on a small scale--perhaps on the village level--
but obviously is problematic in a metropolitan city
of 22 million.
Seoul boasts a relatively low crime rate, but this is largely due to lack of enforcement.
"Crime" does not exist (on paper) if it is never reported; it is never reported if it is seldom responded to through law enforcement.

Absolutely crazy.

[Ilsanman]

I break very minor laws, but nothing serious. Things I am sure I will not be punished for. Jaywalking and the lot.

[Hollywoodaction]

I once forgot to pay a parking ticket. I was slapped with a huge 300 won penalty.

Some laws here are ridiculous and widely ignored. For example, it was/is illegal to teach ballroom dancing to kids. Ballroom dancing was somewhat taboo because people feared that married women who were into ballroom dancing would be enraptured by some smooth dancing gigolo (yeah, I can hear you ladies say, "What about all those pink lights by the train station?").

[nicholas_chiasson]

-why are trains stations, cheap hotels, and hookers always near each other?
--My mommy said "go back to your breakfast cereal son."

[cdninkorea]

I follow the laws that are in place to protect the freedom of others and break the ones that are the product of a paternalistic government. Same as back home.

[rumdiary]

Where I'm from, Los Angeles, pirated DVD's and prostitution are illegal. However its not hard to find pirated DVD's being sold out in the open and most people know that if a massage parlour has the word MASSAGE in red neon you can get a happy ending. Police bust what people complain about. If enough people complain about the massage parlour, the police will come in and bust it. If not, they let it slide. I assume its the same in Korea.

[mikekim]

[fortysixyou]

I don't shoplift here like I did back home.

For example, I never paid for a single textbook in university. I just went into the store with my syllabi and backpack, filled the latter up, and walked out the front door...twice a year, for four years. Take THAT, overpriced textbook industry!

However, I just couldn't see doing that here. Not sure why. Maybe it's 'cause I'm all grown up now, and I make more than $50 dollars a week.

[laogaiguk]

[blaseblasphemener]