Korean Job Discussion Forums

[michaelambling]

I'm due in Korea in a month and a half, and I am a bit weary about the health check I will have to go through. I am currently on two anti-anxiety medicines: celexa and buspar. Are they going to make a fuss about this? Am I even allowed to take my prescriptions with me when I arrive, and will the doctors in Korea renew my prescriptions?

[chris_J2]

When I got my health check, the GP:

did a rudimentary dental check
took my blood pressure
did a blood test for aids, hepatitis
did a lung xray for tb

A urine test MAY also be necessary. Check with your employer, & the nearest Korean Immigration office, in your home country.

[michaelambling]

Why thank you sir, most useful. If they ask for a urine sample, can I use yours?

[chris_J2]

I overheard the GP talking to my employer (Epik) on the phone, & they said a urine test wasn't necessary. But Immigration have the final say, so I'd check with them first. I think you need to provide your own urine, lol!

[michaelambling]

Well, if Immigration insists that I piss on them, who am I to refuse? I want to be as polite and accommodating to my Korean hosts as possible.

[Mikenski]

Regarding blood/urine test:

Is this only for HIV, Hep, and drugs?

I'm not clear on what is considered to be a "redflag" in terms of "health" for an E-2. For instance, I have kidney problems that result in high creatinine in blood and high protein in urine -- it's not like I'm on dialysis or anything, just insufficiency. However, these values will be way out of range on any CBC and urinalysis... think they even care about something like this?

[chris_J2]

My guess is that they'd be looking for trace elements of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, & other illicit substances, in your urine. I'll do a search & get back & edit, if necessary.

Seriously, I wouldn't urinate on Korean Immigration! (even if they were on fire, lol! )

Apologies in advance, to anyone who spits their coffee over the screen, in response to the above!

[skconqueror]

[chris_J2]

skconqueror = sourpus

[travelingfool]

I was taking a benzodiazipine at the time of my test and had no problems. However, I did have a prescription from a k-doctor that I showed to the people who administered the test. If you are paranoid just stop by a foreigner clinic once you get in Korea and have them validate the prescription or write you a refill and do what I did. The doctors in Korea in my experience are extremely liberal when it comes to handing out pills.

[Kwangjuchicken]