Korean Job Discussion Forums

War Eagle · Joined: 15 Feb 2009

It is not set in stone that the FBI background checks will be required as of Jan. 1st. I do not have any evidence of this, but have heard from numerous Korean hakwon employees who handle the visas for new teachers. They, among many, many others, from what I am told, are fighting this law tooth and nail. They see a lot of potential problems for the schools themselves if they must go through 2-4 months of processing before a new teacher arrives to fill a vacant position.

Also, the hagwons seem to believe they have a very good chance in getting the law abolished before it sees the light of day.

So, for those of you, like myself, who are waiting for this law to be enacted so it can weed out the riff raff and unflood the market, don't hold your breath.

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

Hagwon owners can simply hire Canadians. We can get a local check done in days, and it's still valid for the entire country.

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

plato's republic · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Location: Ancient Greece

Plenty of Canadians, Brits, Irish, Aussies, Kiwis and South Africans available to fill in the gaps. A little less supply wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing IMO.

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 5:02 am Post subject:

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

Justin Richard · Joined: 09 Sep 2010

Think Again...This law will stay!

"In a parliamentary committee session last week, GNP lawmaker Lee Jung-hyun � the GNP�s only lawmaker from Jeolla-do, incidentally � noted that about 600 foreign English teachers have been booked for criminal offenses from 2007 to the present, citing material submitted by the national police".

naturegirl321 · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Location: Home sweet home

I really think this new law only affects Americans in a big way. Most other countries automatically get the federal checks. And don't have to wait months.

War Eagle · Joined: 15 Feb 2009

naturegirl321 · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Location: Home sweet home

Yeah, I don't know. Seems like those of us needing CBC are in the minority where I work. Most are married to Koreans and don't need it since they're F2s or F5s. The uni prefers it that way.

hagwonnewbie · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Asia

I imagine there may be a last minute extension for certain teachers (maybe those who have completed contracts previously)

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

South Africans only get a "Federal-Level" check. But takes pretty long to get. They say 6-8 weeks, but in most cases, it's closer to 10 if you're lucky.

As for this change swinging the market, I'm not too sure about that.
What % of the total E2 teachers in Korea are American? 30-35% tops. How many of those teachers are either unable/unwilling to get a Federal Check, not as many as you'd think. Sure it will create a time-lag for an American teacher from application to starting work, but already the ads for Spring Semester are out in full force, which is still plenty of time to get the check done.

Sure, this may create a gap for other teachers for last-minute positions, but I have little doubt recruiters will soon adapt, and start getting teachers on their books a few months in advance rather than pushing last-minute positions.

That being said, the first couple of months might be a little tight, but the market is so flooded right now, this change won't do much to stem the current tide.

balzor · Joined: 14 Feb 2009

It's a lock for public school tho