Korean Job Discussion Forums

rico4444 · Joined: 16 Jul 2007

This question was posed to me by an older teacher I know living in the States, and it piqued my curiosity because I've been working in Korea for 3 years and I will be 59 this year. I am planning on extending my contract when it expires in February, but the new contract would take me past the age of 60.

So..........2 questions.......

1) Can a new teacher, who has never worked in Korea before, get a work visa (E-2) and job if he/she is older than 60?

2) Do you think I'll have any problems extending my contract past the age of 60?

tomato · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 5:22 pm Post subject:

There are rumors about a mandatory retirement age of 60, but those rumors seem to be false.
One of my past employers checked with the immigration office and was told that there is no such law.

I am past 60 and was past 60 when I got my previous job.

Job-hunting for older adults is more difficult, however.
I was out of work for a month before I got my present job.
I have been in Korea for 10 years and was never out of work before.

The schools make the excuse that parents prefer teachers who are young and sprightly.
But there are no signs that I have hurt the school where I work now.
At first, I was working part-time and my largest class had 5 students.
Now I'm working full-time and my classroom is getting crowded.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

rico4444 · Joined: 16 Jul 2007

Thank you tomato and theurbanmyth............your responses are both very helpful and encouraging

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

Skippy · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon

My father worked here till he was almost 66. Then had to head home because of health problems. So if your healthy and eager you have a good chance of continuing to work.

Louis VI · Joined: 05 Jul 2010 Location: In my Kingdom

This hagwon hired a 71 year old South African last year, but only after interviewing her. She was spry and didn't look a day over 55. She had three decades of teaching experience back home and really was great. She went back home after finishing her contract and the hagwon boss wasn't happy yo see her leave. She was a good teacher and the young kids liked her, though there were some disrespectful middle school aged kids she had trouble with in her evening class.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Mandatory retirement age for civil service positions is 62.
Most government programs won't hire you if you are over 55.

There is no mandatory retirement age in the private sector - you can work as long as you can find employment / stay employed.

.

I-am-me · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Location: Hermit Kingdom

max age is 62 for Gepik positions.