Korean Job Discussion Forums

flygirl81 · Joined: 05 Feb 2009

Hi,
I got 'caught' doing privates last year; so I had to go to a police station, get interviewd, get my fingerprints taken - basically treated like a crimminal. So now I am back in Korea and I cannot get a new E2 visa. Immigration will not tell me when I can work, if I have a fine, or what I can do, so I am stuck here in limbo basically!

Can anyone shed some light on this process for me? I want to know how long it takes for these charges to go through the court system, how much my fine will be, if I can work for a public school again, if I am even allowed to be here etc

It seems very unfair that the Korean crimminal justice system / immigration is not revealing any imformation in relation to my visa situation......

Thanks!

cruisemonkey · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:11 pm Post subject: Re: E2 Visa problems

megandadam · Joined: 28 Dec 2008 Location: toronto, canada

it's fairly clear you're not supposed to do privates if you have a day job. i would reference crudemonkey's response.

what is the official punishment for this anyways? anyone know?

fromtheuk · Joined: 31 Mar 2007

How did you get caught?

T-J · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae

fromtheuk · Joined: 31 Mar 2007

I don't think everyone gets caught.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:01 pm Post subject:

megandadam · Joined: 28 Dec 2008 Location: toronto, canada

ooops sorry honest mistake.
was a typo

flygirl81 · Joined: 05 Feb 2009

Well my agent got caught, and she had to give all her info to the police/immigration. Has anyone else been in this situation? And pretty much everyone I know does 'privates'....

mike123_ca · Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 4:24 am Post subject:

Tell them you were not aware of the law. Immigration will make you sign a confession. The fine 2 years ago was 1,000,000 won for the teacher and 2,000,000 won for the hagwan.

Trevor · Joined: 16 Nov 2005

Here's a case where I really think it would be halpful to have a Korean speaking for you. Can you get a job lined up, explain the situation to your perspective employer and have them talk to immi? It's worked in the past. Very Happy

Good luck.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 12:31 pm Post subject:

mike123_ca · Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 1:23 pm Post subject:

The first visit will be to the police station for fingerprints and questioning.

A couple of weeks later, you will get a call to go tovisit the immigration office. ( bring someone who can speak Korean, no translation services are provided.).

They will give you a blank paper. You will be asked to write down your explantion.
I said "I wasn't aware of the law"

My fine was a 1,000,000 won.

They said pay the fine now or spend time in detention. The hagwon owner had up to 2 weeks to pay his fine.

I asked if I could go outside to a bank ATM. They said that was okay.
Paid the fine. Did not miss a day of work.

flygirl81 · Joined: 05 Feb 2009

You're joking right? Time in detention? What the f***?

Well in October '08 I had my prints taken, had to make a confesion, which I did.

Now its Feb and I havent got an answer, I've called every week....

At the time I was caught I was working legally at an elementary school, the illegal job was through a recruiter, in a private home. I have since completed my contract with my old school So does my old school have to pay he fine or my 'recruiter?'

I promised to give free language lessons at an orphanage if they went easy on me....lol!