Korean Job Discussion Forums

whome33 · Joined: 08 Jun 2009

Long story short, this korean guy hit my gf 3 years ago, i hit him (once) he sustained a serious injury. He wanted blood money, after he lied to the police about even hitting her, i left the country. well now I'm back *please save your 'why did you come back?' comments*. I was able to get another visa because it was still a pending investigation when I applied. The police found out that I'm back, and I was arrested. After co-operating with the authorities fully, they let me go. They believe my side of the story, and thankfully havn't told the guy i hit that I am back in Korea (therefore he cant sue me civally). However I am being fined. A prosecutor friend reccomends that I appeal, because he thinks it could be judged as self defence. But if I appeal, the judge may contact that dude, to hear his side of the story, he will then know im in korea, and could sue me.
I am tempted to just pay the fine and be done with it. My question is, will the resulting record of this inhibit me from renewing my visa?
Has anyone paid a fine in Korea, and had problems continuing to work here after their contract/visa was up?

Straphanger · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea

How much is the fine, and was it worth it?

whome33 · Joined: 08 Jun 2009

well ofcourse i was 'protecting her'. so 'was it worth it' isnt really the question. the fine is 3 mil

whome33 · Joined: 08 Jun 2009

fyi, it was an instant reaction when she was on the ground. it wasnt premeditated revenge.

Straphanger · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea

Hobophobic · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 6:24 am Post subject:

3 million...for one hit...after your special lady was whacked....I have no real advice, but that is nuts...this blood money thing is all that keeps me from thumping on someone for trying to touch my kid, plus the fact that my kid is with me...

good luck...bumped for surely someone has advice...

whome33 · Joined: 08 Jun 2009

straphanger- i dont think you understand. paying it isnt the problem, leaving is what i dont want to do. but im wondering if paying it, and the resulting criminal record is going to prevent me from working here afterwards. thanks for your incredible insight though.

Straphanger · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea

Julius · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

Notice they don't ask the assualted woman if she wants to sue her attacker.

She's only a woman after all, and its beneath the law to protect humans who happen to be born with XX chromosomes.

Just the simple fact of having a girlfriend in this country puts you at risk of blood-money scenarios every time you accompany her down the street.

whome33 · Joined: 08 Jun 2009

she's korean, she had a banged up face, and had been to the doctor. she brought him in to charge him, but he lied about it and made up a whole new story.

Ruraljuror · Joined: 08 Dec 2007

whome33 · Joined: 08 Jun 2009

ruraljuror, I hear you. I mentioned about that the fine is 3million won. which would go to the court. his damages were much more. so this is a bargain. i wont have 'fleeing judgement' against me in court, because i left because i was afraid of retaliation in the small town that it took place in. one of his friends grabbed a knife, others threw full soju bottles. the police understand why i left and im off the hook for that.
but even if i get a innocent verdict in my appeal, he could still sue me civally.
im very tempted to just pay the fine and be done with it. but my original question is if the resulting criminal record is going to prevent me from continuing to work in korea after my current visa is up.

hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

FIGHT IT 'CAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO!

GoldMember · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

It never fails to amaze me how many people get scared of being sued by the big bad nasty Korean person. Ok, so the person sues and even wins, so what! The Big bad Korean gets a court order to sell your apartment.
What apartment!. Take your jewelry, what jewelry!. Starting to get the picture.
It is nearly impossible to legally collect debts in Korea. Thats why gangsters fill that need.

As for fighting coz its the right thing to do, that's the dumbest advice you can ever get.
Its not about right or wrong. Its about not taking it up the rear.

As for the guy telling lies. Do the same, say he had a knife or something.
Korean judges are too stupid to punish perjury.

Frankly Mr Shankly · Joined: 13 Feb 2008

I know some people who were fined for various things arising from a fight in Itaewon and all of them subsequently got new E2 visas the next time around. The fines ranged between 500k and 2 million. I also heard of a lad who stole a taxi and had a 7 million won fine and was deported quickly. Someone posited that the size of the fine depends on your staying in the country. I am not sure how true this is. Hope this helps.