Korean Job Discussion Forums

[endo]

So I've been in South Korea for almost four years now with the same school.

Today my boss told me that all the teacher's would be required to take part in a mandatory medical test.

Now this mandatory medical test is outside of the E2 visa procedures.

Supposedly it is common and a law for all employees in Korea. The thing is this is the first I've heard of it and I for obvious reasons don't like it.


I get medical check ups once a year on my own and also did the same thing prior to my last work visa. But this mandatory testing just doesn't mesh with my liberal mindset.



So is this annual mandatory medical test common in Korea?

I don't know any other teacher's who were forced to do this.


How about for people who work for corporations or have spouses here? Do they also have to have this annual test?

[aphase]

My first year I was here on an E2, and this was common practice every year for teachers who stayed at the same school for more than one year. I remember when I worked at YBM ECC they would do this, and also I have a couple friends in different hakwons who also have to do a health exam every year if they re-sign, so I guess it is common practice.

The strange thing tho is that if you changed schools, it wasn't required.

I myself haven't done it, but that's because I changed my visa after my first year and never stayed at a school for more than one year.

I had a friend who worked at a public school who was also asked to do this even though his contract only had 2 months left. It was the end of his second year there, and he just refused saying that it goes against his beliefs and they apologized and let him skip it.

Maybe this test is required for those covered under the national medical insurance plan? I don't know.

[livinginkunsan]

It is required for public school teachers (korean and foreign alike) every 2 years.

[endo]

I still don't like it, but thanks for the reponses.

[smwood]

I'm in my 3rd year at a PS. I dodged the bullet last year when I was told I had to have the medical - it is indeed mandatory for all govt. and PS workers. They just sort of forgot about it and I let it go.

This year I have a new manager who is keen as mustard about such things. To cut to the chase, I had the medical last week. It's on their nickel. It was a bit brutal (the nurse was moonlighting from the nighttime work at Castle Frankenstein) but it was over pretty soon.

Aside from anything you'll pick up anything that's not supposed to be there and it will give you the all-clear next year if you stay on in Korea. Looking at the bright side, like.

[Pooty]

My company offers this for all employees. It's not mandatory.

[Kimchieluver]

I have an F5, work at a public school and have to do it every year.