Korean Job Discussion Forums

[HarryMorgan]

I went to enroll myself in the NHIC (Sadang office?) on Friday and was told that I would have to pay roughly 120,000 won per month that I had been working in Korea without health care. Now, I was aware that pension worked like that, but no where did I read that health care worked the same way. My new employer was there with me, and their company certainly won't pay for it; and if this is the case I'll obviously have to figure out how to get the old hagwon to put in their share.

Otherwise, I'm out quite a bit of cheese for those 5-6 months. Can someone confirm that this is how the current system works? You out there, Tom? I understand it was my mistake for initially not picking up on the 3.3% tax rate, but this seems to be punishing the wrong party for a service they were never even receiving. The lack of health care also had a great deal to do with why I consistently threatened my previous employer, before being subsequently fired. I'm simply looking for some clarification. Thanks.

[ontheway]

[ttompatz]

You will have to make back payments to NHIC from the date you entered Korea on this visa/ARC/status of sojourn.

Unlike the NPS, they will not go after your old boss for unpaid premiums; you get stuck with the whole bill (salary * .0283 * 2 * (number of months in Korea).

.

[HarryMorgan]

Unfortunate news for me. I transferred my visa to an after school program, but was never warned that we were going to the NHIC office immediately after doing the visa transfer at immigration. I wasn't necessarily spilling the beans about anything, just trying to get the legally mandated health care I'm entitled to. I have a couple options in the new contract itself, which is something I'll look over when I get back home. Previously, I was likely booked as an IC, though my contract claimed me as an employee. I constantly threatened going to the labor board, which was why I was let go with a bonus in late October. I never reported pension, but that was something I was expecting to pay when I got a new job.

Not sure if I have any practicable options here, but anything that would help me bypass 700,000 won in back payments for the health care I never received, would be useful. Though likely not an option, as my visa has already been transferred. I suppose the least costly option would be opting out of both pension and health care, and simply going back to school in the fall. All while risking my legs being chopped off, when an adjumma pushes me half way out of the subway doors as the train is taking off.

Am I out 700,000 won if I want the NHIC coverage, or is there anything else I'm missing?

[ttompatz]

[hallabong]

I have a related question. I am currently on an F-2 visa. I will be returning to the US in January for a couples of months after working here for several years (while not paying pension/health). If I leave Korea, and return on my current F-2, will I still have to make back payments for all those months I wasn't paying health/pension? Or will I get a fresh slate when I return to Korea?

I spoke with two people from NHIC and was told two different things. One person said that if you leave Korea and then return, you are only liable for payments based on your most recent entry date to Korea, irregardless of when you got your visa. The other person said that I would have to make back payments based on when my visa began. Who is correct? Should I turn in my ARC when I leave and just get another one when I return so as to ensure that I don't have to make three years worth of back payments?

[ttompatz]

[pkang0202]

It is possible to get that fee reduced. My Korean friend owed NHIC around 800,000 and after going to the office and some negotiating, that amount got lowered a lot.