Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ANETfromULSAN]

Have you, or anyone you know, ever developed kidney ailments while living and working in Korea? If so, in what city was it?
Did you, or anyone you know, ever get fired by a Korean employer, without notice, while in the hospital? If so, in what city was it?
Please reply to this posting or privately to [email protected]
Personally, I taught in Korea for six years, but two years ago, I got very sick very quickly. Due to my guarantor's negligence and wrongful actions, I almost died of kidney failure on her premises.
The permanent damage I sustained could have been avoided had I received prompt medical care.
I know of other ESL teachers who were fired without notice for being in the hospital. Now, that I know the cause of my illness, I would like to hear from others who had similar health problems while in Korea.
A.N.E.T.

[Justsurfin12]

No offense... but if you'd already been living in Korea for 4 years, why didn't you just go to the nearest hospital?

[ANETfromULSAN]

I did go to the nearest hospital. I went every morning for almost two weeks before one specialist took me seriously. He ran the appropriate tests and came up with a probable diagnosis that turned out to be wrong. I almost died on the hagwon's premises. Microscopic Polyangiitis is a rare illness and even he, a specialist, could not detect it. It is also fatal if left untreated.
There were serious communication problems at the hospital, my symptoms were not apparent and, it is a fact, women over 50 in that community are automatically considered crazy until their illness is so far along that symptoms cannot be missed.
I was on the verge of kidney failure by the time a Korean came with me to negotiate my admission to the hospital.
According to Korean Immigration law, your guarantor is responsible for your health and safety while you work for him/her. If there are communication problems, it is your guarantor's duty to help you clear them up. My guarantor failed to do this.
So, I was on my own. I was told by fools at the hospital, "There is nothing wrong with you. You just need a good massage", and "You can't walk? Well maybe you need to see a psychiatrist". Then it was pay, "more money, more money".
Once I was diagnosed, however, then the smiles and apologies came through.
When I was finally hospitalized, I lay in a room with 7 other women over 50. They were all advanced cancer patients, pretty much written off by the hospital. I paid "more money and more money" and then I was moved to an air-conditioned room that I shared with only three patients. However, I never forgot those 7 cancer patients, left to care for each other.
I met some wonderful people in Korea and I have many wonderful memories, but all that does not excuse what I witnessed and lived in Ulsan.
I suggest you google the posting by THEO about his experience in a Korean hospital. It may help unsuspecting readers understand why I am researching the issue.
ANET

[youtuber]

My Korean gf has kidney problems. She lived most of her life in Daegu.

The firing is one huge strike against Korea. If you are in the hospital for a significant amount of time, this is a huge burden and inconvenience to the school. You are not bringing in revenue and they are still paying for your accomodations. And they are unsure if you will be able to continue in the future. That is why it is best to get your own house so that you are not as "tied" to your employer.

In my case, I was in the hospital for one month, and my school was ok with that. But there were lots of teachers to cover for me and I lived in a dorm.

But no disability, little sick pay, and poor health coverage make living in Korea a risky proposition. When you are healthy, things are great. But we all get sick, and when we do, Korea wants no part of you. You are considered a burden.

Why are you researching? Are you preparing for legal action? If so, good luck. It will be difficult for a foreigner to win a case against a Korean doctor. It will just cost you a lot in legal fees.

And with respect to the hagwon's responsibility for your health, well I have never heard of that. While it may be true, in practice it almost never happens. We are expected to make our own medical appointments and navigate the health system ourselves however difficult that may be. My Korean gf helped me do it. My school had very little involvement and made no offer of help in that regard. That's why most of us go to international clinics.

Let me know how it works out for you. Good luck.