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I ran, can I come back as a tourist?

 
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itstiff



Joined: 16 Oct 2008

PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 5:40 pm    Post subject: I ran, can I come back as a tourist? Reply with quote

So, I googled this and have read a bunch of responses but they're all for instances related to hagwons and returning to teach again.

I did a midnight run 3 years ago while teaching for GEPIK. I know I was stupid but I had a family emergency and the school would not let me return home for a few days, nor let me quit.

I still love Korea, and if I could go back in time maybe I could have argued for a few more days but I don't regret going home to be with my family. I've been making plans to visit Korea for a few days, while on an Asia trip .. will I have any problems going back in as a tourist?

I'm still using the same passport I was using three years ago. Thanks!
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TheUrbanMyth



Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired

PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 8:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

GEPIK says their policy is to inform Immigration about teachers who don't give proper notice.

From the 2011 GEPIK contract.


Quote:
2. If the Employee decides to resign during the term of employment, he/she must give the
Employer a thirty (30) day prior written notice of resignation stating the date of and
reason for resignation. An unannounced resignation of the Employee, without a thirty
(30) day prior written notice of resignation to the Employer, shall be reported to the
Korean Immigration Service and shall affect the Employee's entrance to the Republic of
Korea in the future



That said, it's anybody's guess how strictly this is enforced. If you really want to visit Korea your best bet would be to call Korean Immigration and inquire.
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Weigookin74



Joined: 26 Oct 2009

PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 10:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Smoke and mirrors; fear and lies.... Don't believe everything you read. How could they tell immigration what to do? They don't give a sh!t!
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angsta



Joined: 11 Oct 2011

PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 10:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

TheUrbanMyth wrote:
your best bet would be to call Korean Immigration and inquire.


I wouldn't do that.

As a tourist you'll have no problems.
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The Great Toad



Joined: 12 Jun 2004

PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 10:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think you need to tell us if you left them without giving back the 300,000 Korean Won. Did you do that? If you left before 6 months into the contract and did not give them back the 300,000 won (and maybe the plane ticket money?) Then they could say you are not just a breaker of a contract but a debtor who did not return your 300 dollar move in money.

However, I really really doubt even if somehow immigration had your passport marked that they would detain or even refuse you entry. On the other hand, you may try and get your retirement money back - it could be over 1000 dollars if you worked here for 7 months or more... I think it is around 2 grand a year... That is the amusing thing about guys who do midnight runs and think they are winning. In truth they are leaving a thousand or more dollars- the Korean Government owes- them behind.

If you are detained though they will put you in the airport holding lock up with Nigerians and Thailand Illegal factory workers. Then you will have to chose between worshiping the King of Thailand through songs and chants or Bowing down to the celebrated Nigerian God and sing unknown gospel songs in the Nigerian language repeatedly for hours and hours.... (been there done that) I would hope you luck out though and there are no Western Drug Dealers in there or they will try to make you swallow crack bags and then shank you if you refuse.
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea

PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2011 10:57 pm    Post subject: Re: I ran, can I come back as a tourist? Reply with quote

itstiff wrote:
So, I googled this and have read a bunch of responses but they're all for instances related to hagwons and returning to teach again.

I did a midnight run 3 years ago while teaching for GEPIK. I know I was stupid but I had a family emergency and the school would not let me return home for a few days, nor let me quit.

I still love Korea, and if I could go back in time maybe I could have argued for a few more days but I don't regret going home to be with my family. I've been making plans to visit Korea for a few days, while on an Asia trip .. will I have any problems going back in as a tourist?

I'm still using the same passport I was using three years ago. Thanks!


Entry as a tourist = non issue.

Working for a PS = not going to happen.

Get an E2 to work at a hagwan = no problem.

.
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PeteJB



Joined: 06 Jul 2007

PostPosted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 2:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You quit your job, you didn't rob a bank. You'll be fine.
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allovertheplace



Joined: 02 Aug 2009

PostPosted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 3:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Great Toad wrote:
I think you need to tell us if you left them without giving back the 300,000 Korean Won. Did you do that? If you left before 6 months into the contract and did not give them back the 300,000 won (and maybe the plane ticket money?) Then they could say you are not just a breaker of a contract but a debtor who did not return your 300 dollar move in money.

However, I really really doubt even if somehow immigration had your passport marked that they would detain or even refuse you entry. On the other hand, you may try and get your retirement money back - it could be over 1000 dollars if you worked here for 7 months or more... I think it is around 2 grand a year... That is the amusing thing about guys who do midnight runs and think they are winning. In truth they are leaving a thousand or more dollars- the Korean Government owes- them behind.

If you are detained though they will put you in the airport holding lock up with Nigerians and Thailand Illegal factory workers. Then you will have to chose between worshiping the King of Thailand through songs and chants or Bowing down to the celebrated Nigerian God and sing unknown gospel songs in the Nigerian language repeatedly for hours and hours.... (been there done that) I would hope you luck out though and there are no Western Drug Dealers in there or they will try to make you swallow crack bags and then shank you if you refuse.


I never thought about this but can people who ran after 8 months get their pensions? Or better yet what happens to that money? To be honest if the govt wants to make a few bucks a year they should actually encourage folks to run.

I ran for an emergencyish event and like the op wasn't given the option to go home and take leave. If it just took a few phone calls it might be worth it to get back a grand or two.
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea

PostPosted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 4:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

allovertheplace wrote:
I never thought about this but can people who ran after 8 months get their pensions? Or better yet what happens to that money? To be honest if the govt wants to make a few bucks a year they should actually encourage folks to run.

I ran for an emergencyish event and like the op wasn't given the option to go home and take leave. If it just took a few phone calls it might be worth it to get back a grand or two.


Yes, if you are from CAN, USA, AUS you can get your pension money, even after just 8 months provided you leave Korea and your ARC gets canceled or expires.

.
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allovertheplace



Joined: 02 Aug 2009

PostPosted: Sat Dec 17, 2011 9:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

How would one go about doing this?
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea

PostPosted: Sat Dec 17, 2011 10:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

allovertheplace wrote:
How would one go about doing this?


If you are coming back to Korea as a tourist, pop into a pension office and apply for it. They will forward the funds in about 30 days.
You need your ARC number (I assume you no longer have your ARC), passport and plane ticket out of Korea.

If you are NOT returning to Korea, talk to your home country pension office or the Korean consulate in your home country for the forms and particulars.

Details on the NPS website. http://english.nps.or.kr/jsppage/english/main.jsp

.
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allovertheplace



Joined: 02 Aug 2009

PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks very much
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itstiff



Joined: 16 Oct 2008

PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 4:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for everyone's responses and reassurance .. I just got back from a quick 2 day trip to Seoul without any problems. I already plan on going back in June for another trip.
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