Korean Job Discussion Forums

[murmanjake]

My buddy's in a tough spot. He drunkenly hopped on an idling scooter and rolled it a few feet and got arrested. His boss paid the other party off, but is now being told by the police that he must fire my friend.

Not sure about the "having to fire" part, but never was a great job to begin with. First thing I told my friend was to not sign anything saying he quit. I seem to remember hearing that advice here, that it's better to be fired(he's been here over 6 months).

For some reason the whole arrest thing isn't finished, either. I thought paying off the other party made it all disappear, but there could be a criminal proceeding in the works. My friend's info is hazy and his boss is a bit of a scumbag so he could be lying to him about any number of things as well.

My friend was thinking he should leave Korea, get new documents and come back when they get processed(he really likes it here). I think he should apply for new documents here, and stick it out to see what happens.

I guess my big question is, if he gets fired, and having been here for over 6 months, and with a criminal investigation pending(grand larceny they said, kinda extreme eh?), can he still get a new job without needing all new documents, so long as someone is willing to hire him?

[PatrickGHBusan]

One question...if your friend's boss is a scumbag then why would he pay off the other side to avoid legal trouble for your friend?

I mean, a true scumbag would do nothing for your friend, especially not pay money out of his pocket..oh well.

Good luck to your friend but if he is convicted of a criminal offense (even a minor one) I think he can kiss his visa goodbye.

Ttom will be clearer than me on that issue I am sure.

[koreatimes]

If I were him, I would write up a huge apology letter. Then, I would agree to work a free week or two hoping to mend things. There is no way getting out of this one.

It doesn't make sense for the police to want him fired because then they couldn't take legal action. One of them doesn't fit.

[minos]

I hope your friends gets screwed. I had something very similar happen with my pro-camera equipment...except after the drunk left it somewhere, a thief picked it up 5 minutes after.

I hate criminal drunks.

I'm also charging the guy with Grand larceny. I'm literally in the reverse of your situation.

The case can be dropped....the cops seem to be going slow after the guy I charged denied it during an interview. I suppose if I did noting, nothing would actually happen(I'm bringing a witness though).

However, if money is exchanged, there is still a criminal charge in the books which might make your visa null and void.

Legally, the police register payments and encourage it. They don't want you making deals for cash to drop a case. Probably lowers their clearance rate(bad for them). If your boss already paid, your friend is screwed. The payment if done correctly(I recieved some after a car accident) legally finishes the case.

[murmanjake]

It's actually unclear as to whether his boss will fire him or not.

Thing is the guys been paying him in bits and pieces since he started working, and even having paid the 2,000,000 to get him off, still owes him money. Which is why I called him a bit of a scumbag.

I guess my friend needs more info on the whole payment thing, but there's the language barrier and all.

Does a conviction automatically nullify your visa, or is it circumstantial as many things here seem to be?

[Julius]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Weigookin74]

In this case, get some legal representation. Think he needs to find some local office. Many places have legal advice available for those who need it. Might have to bring a translator though. Only way to know for sure. In the future, don't be stupid when drunk. If the police can't charge you, maybe they want to get you fired out of pettiness. Heard of that happening before. Usually, you can buy your way out of crimes here. But, none of us really have enough details of what really happened. Get your own legal council. It's really the only way.

[Stan Rogers]

OP your "friend" is getting off easy. He could have been charged with drunk driving too. Riding a motor bike while intoxicated a "few feet" or a few miles makes no difference in the eyes of the law. Being drunk and stupid has it's consequences.

As a motor bike owner, I've had drunk idiots jump on my bike before trying to kick it over thinking they are all funny an stuff, and even knocking the bike over on the side walk. I have no sympathy for your friend.

[minos]