Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mein89]

Hello, I came to Korea to work with "X" company, and in the contract I signed, it was agreed that they would pay rent, and I would pay utilities on my apartment. I am now moving (in the morning) to work with "Y" school, in another area. I have separated with this X school about a month ago, and pre-paid my rent until the end of July with my landlord. A few days ago, I called him because I found out that my new boss is sending me for paid work in Thailand for three weeks (never mind that) THE IMPORTANT bit is that now my landlord is threatening me, even though I never signed a contract to pay rent myself, that he will send a letter to the Korean embassy in Thailand to block my re-entry to Korea unless I pay my rent and utilities until August 15th which is what I originally told him, verbally. I never signed anything, except that I would pay utilities, which I still intend to do. Furthermore I don't even have the won to pay my rent+utilities for time not used without asking my new boss. What the he||. Is this legit or is my landlord blowing proverbial smoke out his ass? I believe that "X" company should settle the rent with him, not me.

[mein89]

The company shall provide housing for the instructor during the term of this Agreement. In the event that this agreement is terminated by either party, subject to Article 2 below, the Instructor must vacate the premises within seven (7) days of notice of termination. Any costs associated with Instructor's failure to vacate the premises, including but not limited to rent payments, legal expenses, and attorney fees shall be paid by the Instructor.

That is in my contract. I verbally agreed to stay through mid August but guess what I'm moving tomorrow morning, on the 26th and have already paid through the END of July, which is the 31st. I have my visa reissuance number already, as of a week or two ago. I just need to get some advice on if his threat means anything... please.

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Maybe. Is he the King of Korea?

[mein89]

no, he looks like a pretty typical adjosshi... speaks good English

[sillywilly]

[mein89]

Well I'm asking because I have the mindset, probably from reading Dave's, that in this type of situation a foreigner is helpless, but I don't view myself that way by default so I'm asking what the likelihood of him being full of crap is.

[Kikomom]

What's the monthly rent amount? Offer him half of what he thinks you owe him--for the other two weeks till mid-August (1/4 of monthly rent). He might accept that as a face saving token and let it go?

Or he should take it up with "X" company, his actual client, who might take it out of your final pay?

[mein89]

monthly rent was 560,000W at my first employment place - by the way I parted ways with them after 2 months - but I was charged 800,000 W out of my final pay for July and he told me that they have an arrangement with him for a special price... can't say that I really trust the guy. That may have included the utilities that I had not paid for 2 months also. my new boss urged me to get out of the apartment and to pay only utilities.

[mein89]

also X company is released from responsibility by that contract.

[endo]

If you didn't sign anything then don't worry about it.

[Landros]

ask him what he would do if you burned the place down.

[warren pease]

Sorry for the minimal hi-jack. But what is the Bundang Football Club? Do you play soccer or football?

[Landros]

http://www.leaguelineup.com/fcbundang

http://ssflkorea.com/

[monkinwonderland]

Look at it this way. You're a civil servant, part of the Korean foreign service. You're busy pushing papers or whatever you do in some office in Bangkok. Your phone rings. Some angry adjoshi is on the other end barking about some foreigner who hasn't paid his utilities. He's demanding said foreigner be barred from reentering Korea. What do you think you would do?

Besides, I imagine the embassy in Bangkok aren't in control of who can and can't enter Korea.

Hand him a phone and the number of the switchboard in Bangkok and stand next to him when he calls.

[Zyzyfer]