Korean Job Discussion Forums

[JustinC]

Excellent advice above, posting here was a good idea.

I'd like to add that these situations can happen in any country, so taking a martial arts course and a bit more care with guys you don't know well is something to consider, where ever you decide to live and work.

I used to go to Syu Yu Kai karate lessons and it was great. There was no bravado or ego-maniacs, it was 80% women wanting some self-defense and people were paired on ability and size. We didn't hit each other, only the pads the other person was holding. It was great to take out that day's frustrations on your partner's pads, and then they would do the same.

When I'd walk out of class I felt about a foot taller. I never had to use the skills I gained - partially due to the fact I'm now more confident in emotionally-charged situations and can deal with them before they get out of hand - but if I had to I could still spin and elbow an attacker while looking for a good escape route. We were also taught to put our keys between our fingers to add some extra 'oomph' to a punch and how to break free from someone strangling you (it's quite easy with the right technique). I've never had to use them but walking in a dodgy neighborhood with that knowledge and some keys in my pocket makes me feel more at ease.

[Chimie]

I'm sorry to hear about the incident, a lot of my friends who are women always mention how safe Korea is and how they don't worry about things like this anymore. No matter where you are, there are bad people, so you always have to be careful.

--as for reporting the incident, remember this number: 02-120 it's free translation. It's not always open, but you can call them and have them translate for you if there is no one who speaks English at the police station, etc.

[kimchi_pizza]

Your nationality shouldn't matter but possibly look into this...

http://8tharmy.korea.army.mil/NationalSexualAssaultCounselingCenter-English.pdf

As disturbing as this incident was and my deepest sympathies, but the reaction of your school is equally abhorrent. First take care of yourself and find support amoung the expats/friends around you.
Next, look into finding a better school. Here, and as much as I hate to admit it, usually sexual assault is looked upon as 'well, you probably deserved it' and now that your school knows, they probably have less respect for you and no sympathy. Things won't improve for you there in my opinion.
That mindset may be changing these days, but ever so slowly.

I wish you all the best~

[JulieAnne81]

[hongdae2]

police and locals are useless in terms of domestic abuse. at 5 in the morning, an ajoshi was slamming his fist on the door below my apartment. it woke me up and i took a look at what was going on. he continued to slam on the door and finally the korean woman opened the door. as soon as she stepped out, he grabbed her head and slammed it against the concrete wall...that sick sound of bone hitting concrete...so i had 2 choices...to go down and make him understand that what he did was not acceptable or call the cops. my girlfriend at the time called the police. police came by and saw the woman with a bloodied head and the man just yells some soju influenced jibberish to the younger cops. the cops leave and the man walks away as clean as he walked in. not cool. go for the neck, groin or tear off the ear (seriously) when defending yourself from an attacker and it will give you enough time to get to a safe place and call the right people. i really hope you don't have to encounter this kind of thing again.

[fermentation]

[jonpurdy]

Having dealt with a similar situation before (not me but a female friend):

If this or anything like this happens to you, call the police immediately. They take things like this very seriously and would have at least brought the man in for questioning. (In the situation I dealt with, the guy was picked up two hours later and spent time in jail.)

[komerican]

No country is absolutely safe for women and of course Korea is not an exception. People may be seduced into a sense of safety by the crowded streets and the feeling that one is not totally alone, but of course assaults and rapes do occur. It's important to lock all windows and doors, obviously, and to make sure no one is following you. Some women rent apartments on higher floors in the hope that a rapist cannot climb in through their window. It's also important to let people know where you are going. Some Korean women even send the license plate number of the taxi they are taking to a friend, for example.

[wishfullthinkng]

some men are just sad and pathetic.

however, don't let this ruin your experience in korea or your trust in men in general.

화이팅!

[chrisinkorea2011]

I understand that people want to suggest weapons BUT be aware OP that weapons can easily be used against you too. like others i suggest martial arts training. I helped teach a women's self defence class in the states and half the class was women who were victims of abust, rape, assault, etc.

One of the biggest hurdles is overcoming the fear/worry/anxiety that came becauee of the incident. I hope u recover and say come to korea again if you really want to.

as far as martial arts, learn ones that teach you protection on the ground and standing. Hope everything works out for you.

[cfile2]

[KimchiNinja]

Most problems are solved by preventing them in the first place. Basically I wouldn't meet random strangers in taxi cabs in foreign countries.

Packing weapons and stuff in response to this event is only going to cause more trouble. Just being realistic.

[luckylady]

[cfile2]

[eventually]