Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Katie26]

Hey all

Just wondering about the medical check for Korea. I smoke and hear that there is a chest x ray. When they see that my lungs are less than perfect can they fail/deport me?

Also if anyone knows where they do just the urine and blood test and not the CT scan stuff I'd just go there. Thanks

Ahhh

[moosehead]

the chest xray is looking for TB.

[ryoga013]

if they are going to deport you for having better lungs than the average ajjoshi, that would be retarded.... but... yeah..

no, it shouldn't be a problem. If they see a lump, that's another story that I don't know how it ends.

[in_seoul_2003]

[vdowd]

All will do the blood/urine test but if you don't want the CT just say so. Although they always try to do it as part of the test, in reality, that is optional and you have the right to refuse.

I did not know that and was not prepared, so I had it (the CT) after my first year but refused to allow the test the next 2 times. I believe that it is not paid for by medical unless you are a certain age (older) too. The hospital staff do NOT expect anyone to refuse it, so you might have to restate your refusal several times (politely of course).

At home this is not part of a standard medical test. In fact, a CT is requested by the doctor only if they suspect some medical problem that requires it. Since my doctor did not request it, I did not take it.

[Milwaukiedave]

As others have said Katie, don't worry about it.

Don't let your school see you smoke in public though. That's a no no from what I've heard. I worked with this younger female Korean teacher and didn't know she smoked. We usually didn't hangout together. Long story short, I asked her to help pick out a gift for someone and when we went shopping she stopped to smoke and asked me not to tell anyone (and of course I didn't).

[Yu_Bum_suk]

You should have no problems, but if you're hiding it from your school that you smoke any confidential information in a medical could slip out in this country.

[JMO]

Nope, I had a bit of cloudiness going on. Must be from living in Daegu for 3 years. I quit smoking 4 years ago.

[Katie26]

Great thanks everyone. I didn't know there was a cultural difference over women smokers . Guess it's just something I'll get used to. I'm not a particularly heavy smoker anyway 3 on a weekday and say 8 on a weekend whilst drinking. I'm guessing this might also be taboo then.

Fortunately I don't think I look Russian but I am frequently mistaken as Swedish/Norwegian when I travel so I don't know if there are any connotations attached to that too. Haha.
Anyway thanks for all your help