Korean Job Discussion Forums

kimchee01 · Joined: 09 Sep 2009

deleted

madoka · Joined: 27 Mar 2008

romano812 · Joined: 09 Dec 2008

If you are really interested apply to public schools and hagwons and see what happens, just be honest. I've met people (foreigners) in Korea with criminal records and health conditions and they were still given a pass. I worked at a hagwon and over half of the staff failed the medical and nobody lost their job.
Due to the culture and sharing of food it is estimated that over 10% of the Korean population has some form of Hepatitis, and many foreigners probably pick it up while they are in Korea.
IMO give it a shot, nothing to lose but time.

Gibberish · Joined: 29 Aug 2009

If I remember correctly, when you go to Korea you sometimes have to get a blood test done, but I'm not sure if that only depends on if you're working for public schools. Either way, find out if they're going to blood test you. If they do, tell them, if not, then don't bother.

storysinger81 · Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Location: Daegu

Hepatitis B is endemic in most of Asia and Korea is no exception. Actually, I think it's closer to 20% of the adult population that have it or have had it--most of it running in families. This is an interesting article about the history of the disease in Korea, although it's a study on Korean-Americans: http://hepmon.com/view/?id=304

I had a (Korean male) friend hospitalized for jaundice related to his HepB and the doctors didn't even tell him that it was also a STI (I remember having to lecture him about contacting recent partners to go get tested). I think it's viewed differently here from a cultural standpoint.

I wouldn't mention it when applying for jobs and when it turns up on your mandatory lab work, just explain to your doc that you've had it from birth, and I think you'll probably be ok. You always run a risk of losing your job because you technically "lied" on your application, but honestly I don't think telling the entire truth about your medical history in a way that violates basic medical privacy laws is necessary in Korea (I'm someone who NEVER lied on official forms before coming here). Really, they'll be understanding after they've met you, but biased and just toss your application if there is a mention of the disease in there.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:59 pm Post subject:

Don't lie.

You will have to take a medical test within 90 days of entry. The Ks aren't stupid... you will show 'positive' for Hep. B .... whereupon the police will come and arrest you.

After a couple (or more) of days in a regular, police lock-up, you will be transported to the closest Immi detention centre and held until you can pay/raise the funds for everything you owe (including the cost of deportation).

You have nothing to gain by lying (and everything to lose).

That being said... and this being 'Dave's', some idiot will now post about how they have Hep. B and the Ks don't know...
Rolling Eyes

The Rooz · Joined: 31 Aug 2009

From what I have read on the immigration website, they don't test for Hep B, only for drug use, TB and HIV.

They might notice some indicators in your blood test that point to possible Hep B infection, and perhaps they might mention that to you, but the test for Hep B is a specific test and they would need to specifically test for that.

You should also contact immigration and ask what 'communicable diseases' they are concerned with vis-a-vis the self-health check.

Hope that helps.

byrddogs · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Location: Shanghai

The Rooz · Joined: 31 Aug 2009

kimchee01 · Joined: 09 Sep 2009

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 3:09 pm Post subject:

Worst possible course of action: lie about your medical condition.

It may come back and bite you hard and result in employment termination.

Be up front and see what happens. If Hep B is considered a non-starter for a Teaching visa then you can move on and look somewhere else.

Glad you saw the right path there. You are applying to Teach this means contact with students, possibly children so health is a serious issue.

Best of luck and perhaps something other than teaching in asia would be a better bet considering your health status.

kerbythepurplecow · Joined: 02 Mar 2009

I have met another teacher who said he had Hep B. I'm not sure if he was super upfront about it or not. He seemed to imply that he let them know, but having just met the guy, I didn't want to pry.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

kimchee01 · Joined: 09 Sep 2009

The Rooz · Joined: 31 Aug 2009

So have you been able to contact the consulate?

Any news?

Hep B can often be carried for years and years without a carrier ever knowing it.. are you on any medication? Can it be treated? If you really want to go to Korea, perhaps it might be worth running the course of treatment and see if the virus clears.. after this, you could apply with a clean bill of health!