Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wylies99]

Many car rental businesses in South Korea refuse to allow GIs to rent

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=56544

By Hwang Hae-rym and Erik Slavin, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Monday, August 4, 2008



Servicemembers in Area I who take advantage of a new regulation allowing them to obtain personal driver�s licenses will have a hard time renting a car off post.

Many car rental businesses contacted Friday said they refuse to rent to soldiers because of previous problems.

Dasol Car Rental, at the Yurim intersection in Dongducheon, said they would not rent to servicemembers because they could leave the country without paying for damages.

"You know what, we never rent our cars to the U.S. soldiers, never," said a woman who refused to give her name.

First Rent-a-Car in Dongducheon said it was its policy not to rent to any foreigners.

Han Heug-seop, who owns Autogen car rental at the Ganeung subway station near Camp Red Cloud, said a soldier caused 500,000 won ($500) in damages last summer. He was unable to track down the soldier through Camp Red Cloud, he said.

Han said he believes other servicemembers will act properly; however, he wants a guarantee from the U.S military that servicemembers who cause damages will pay before doing business with them again.

Han said he charges about 50,000 won ($50) for six hours and 120,000 won ($120) for a full day to rent a Hyundai Avante.

Jung Il-han of E-Rent in Uijeongbu said he has never rented cars to U.S. servicemembers; he would, but he requires a valid international driver�s license. Jung wasn�t familiar with the U.S. Forces Korea license, which is considered valid under South Korean law.

E-Rent�s cheapest rentals cost 40,000 won ($40) for six hours or 60,000 won ($60) for a full day.

Doyeon Car Rental in Yangju city will rent to servicemembers only if a South Korean citizen assists. The cheaper cars cost 60,000 won per day, an employee said.

[wylies99]

[skconqueror]

I have rented cars on numerous occasion (not american military though) and had 0 problems

[Kikomom]

[peppermint]

Isn't Dongducheon where the GIs are notorious for wanting to jump on (not in, on) taxis. I'm sure there are decent guys up there, but it always seemed like whenever you heard a crazy story about a US soldier in Korea, he'd turn out to be stationed up there. The 2002 accident with the two dead schoolgirls happened up there too.


I don't agree with it, but I sort of understand why people in that particular part of the country would be hesitant.