Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Derrek]

I just came back from the Omogkyo Immigrations Office. I have been offered a 2nd job working for a business, and I wanted to make it "legal". My current hagwon said it's fine for me to do so, and would write me a letter for the immigrations department.

But before going through all of this, I wanted to see what Immigrations had to say about it.

So I took the subway there, walked the cold walk to the immigrations office from the Omogkyo subway, fought through the hoardes of people to get a number in line, and sat down. After a quicker-than-expected 20 minute wait, I sat down and asked my questions:

Question: I am here on an E-2 Visa, and teaching for a Hagwon. I have been offered a teaching job at a private financial business which is not a hagwon. Can I work there?

Answer: No.

Question: Ok. I kind of figured that. But I can work for another Hagwon, as long as my current hagwon approves it, and you approve it, right?

Answer: No.

Question: Really? But I heard that some people have been approved to work legally at two different hagwons. (I forgot to mention that these people worked for 2 hagwons under the same owner).

Answer: No. That is impossible. If you are working on an E-2 Visa, you cannot be allowed to work at 2 Hagwons.

Question: Are you sure?

(She calls over another guy who confirms her answer).

Question: Is there anywhere else I can work legally in addition to my Hagwon?

Answer: Yes, if we approve it, and your current school approves, you can work for a Government Office, a Public Elementary School, a University, or one of the major "groups", like LG, Samsung, SK, or Hyundai. But NOT another Hagwon.

Question: Is there a law book or some sort of Immigrations Book you have where I can find answers to my questions by myself?

Answer: No.

Question: Not even at a library, or in your office somewhere?

Answer: No.

(I'm getting angry at this point, and just want to piss her off)

Question: Where did you get the answers from?

(Silence)

Answer: I don't know.

Question: What if I don't believe you? How can you prove your answer is right?

Answer: (embarrased laugh)

At this point, I leave.


So there it is... some mod might want to post this a "sticky" section somewhere, or something. This is really frustrating. This country really doesn't want foreigners to make any money. I'm sure getting disgusted with Korea.

[Real Reality]

Derrek, it can be just as frustrating at universities.

Derrek wrote,
This is really frustrating. This country really doesn't want foreigners to make any money. I'm sure getting disgusted with Korea.

The foreign professor -- colleague or hired hand?
Foreign professors do most of the heavy lifting in terms of course loads, devoting themselves almost exclusively to teaching. Nevertheless, they tend to be treated as hired hands, without academic standing, and lacking the possibility of career advancement or tenure. They must submit to yearly contracts (compensated at a rate only 60 percent of their Korean peers) while walled off from the permanent Korean faculty who benefit from travel, research funding, sabbaticals, etc. Moreover, when hundreds of Korean scholars enjoy such perks at American and other foreign universities, something is obviously amiss.

According to the Samsung Group's chairman, Lee Kun-hee, to succeed globally, Korea must forgo the thought that Korea and being Korean is superior, and foreign specialists must be treated with respect.

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200206/14/200206142349223599900090109011.html

[crazylemongirl]

Derrek, I found this on the immigration site.

[Derrek]

Ok, seeing that really pisses me off...

Thanks for it, though. I will print it, and wave it around -- right in their face!

[kimcheeking]

[Derrek]

Crap....

and I was all excited about shoving it up somebody's tootie and lighting it on fire while yelling, "OHNO WON! OHNO WON!"



Point noted.

[crazylemongirl]

[waterbaby]

Derrek,

Also download a Application for Alteration or Addition of Employment place from the Immigration Website and float that under their nose and ask what it's for... nicely, of course!

[IconsFanatic]

This place in BACKWARDS in terms of foreign working rights.

Having to go on a "visa run" should be the first clue you're not highly valued in this country....

[J.B. Clamence]

[Real Reality]

J.B. Clamence,

According to the Samsung Group's chairman, Lee Kun-hee, to succeed globally, Korea must forgo the thought that Korea and being Korean is superior, and foreign specialists must be treated with respect. If Korean companies follow this standard, Korea's institutions of higher learning cannot afford to do less.

[Mr. Pink]

[kimcheeking]

[rudyflyer]

[Bulsajo]