Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kimchee01]

deleted

[madoka]

[romano812]

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]

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]

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]

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...

[The Rooz]

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]

[The Rooz]

[kimchee01]