Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wylies99]

Overseas Degree Holders Rush to Drive Taxis for Foreigners


http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/02/117_39520.html
By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter

Seoul's plan to recruit taxi drivers for foreign tourists has been overwhelmed with applications, with even foreign degrees being sent in, reflecting the tight job market here.

In January, the Seoul Metropolitan Government started recruiting taxi drivers capable of speaking foreign languages fluently for a squad of ``luxury taxis for foreign tourists'' that will run from March.

Among nearly 900 applicants, it initially sorted out 235 in the first screening procedure and will announce some 150 successful candidates by the end of the month.

Kim Jin-baik, 46, is among the applicants who passed the screening. He speaks English and French fluently, having graduated from a French university.

After living in European countries for about 15 years, he returned to Seoul in 2006 and had worked at a big company until recently. However, he had to quit and has worked as a cabbie for a taxi firm for about three months.

Like any other taxi driver, he is struggling to make ends meet amid fewer customers due to the weak economy.

``It's a tough job. I have to spend almost half a day behind the wheel for a low income,'' he said. But he is holding onto the job on hopes for winning the right to own and run one of the individual taxis given to those with at least four years of taxi driving experience.

He said he is applying for the job for a better income.

Of cab drivers in Seoul, those with such unique backgrounds and outstanding capabilities like Kim are few but less rare. Before making their debuts as drivers, finalists will undergo various education programs, including manners and legal and administrative knowledge.

One applicant, identified only as Kim, lived in Germany for two decades. Another candidate was found to have lived in the United Kingdom and Japan for six years and four years, respectively, working as a Korean bank branch manager.

Other notable individuals include a veteran simultaneous interpreter who once worked at the National Assembly, a retired staff member of the United States Forces Korea and a former Interpol investigator, according to city government officials.

``Some interviewees were so fluent in foreign languages that we had a difficult time understanding what they said,'' said a Seoul government official and interviewer. ``We expect that they, with proficient language skills, will help upgrade taxi services for foreign customers.''

The special cabbie service will be available around the clock by calling 1644-2255.

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[justin moffatt]

I thought the municipal government quashed this idea. Will this be a "call only" service? Will foreign tourists actually have a Korean cell phone to call for this service? What benefit would hotels have in calling for their guests, when they can just have hotel staff tell the taxi company where to go in Korean? Am I missing something here?

I am just concerned that taxi drivers will use this as an excuse not to pick up foreigners, since a "luxury foreigner taxi" is now available. Obviously for a higher fee than for Koreans. I have a hard enough time getting a taxi as it is on occasion (even when wearing a business suit).

[TBirdMG]

So why not make these multilingual drivers with unique language talents foreign language teachers?? The Korean government should sponsor them for an abbreviated language teaching certificate (3 months to a year) and then place them in public schools. Not that I want to eliminate positions for EPIK/GEPIK/SMOE folks, but imagine a Korean or foreign national with advanced bi-tri-lingual abilities....
Nope. Just keep them behind the wheel and let all that talent go to waste.....a shame...

[sarbonn]

[skeeterses]

Just take a look at the comments that readers left on the news site. For example, it's pretty sad that the cab drivers would need to be taught manners; but then of course there are rude drivers out there.

But more to the point. The whole reason why parents would spend millions of hard-earned wons having native English speakers fly over to Korea and work at the hagwons is so that Junior could someday get that high paying sales job at a Chaebol company. When Korean parents notice that college educated bi-lingual Koreans are driving taxi cabs, that can't be a good omen for the ESL Industry in Korea.

[crosbystillsstash]

[wylies99]

[Straphanger]

[Beej]

[flakfizer]

I really respect a person who is willing to take a taxi job in hard times despite being qualified for more enviable jobs. It sure beats calling up Rush and Cash and then committing suicide a few months later. I hope the guys who get these jobs do in fact increase their income and that those who don't get these jobs find decent jobs elsewhere.

[toonchoon]

[Guri Guy]

Same thing is happening in Canada. We have immigrants who are doctors and Engineers driving cabs because the Government has too much red tape in order to get them certified. A waste of talent indeed.