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uklathemock
Joined: 26 Dec 2009
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 Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 2:11 pm Post subject: New Marriage Visa Rules |
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http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2013/05/116_136642.html
"The Ministry of Justice said Thursday it will require foreign spouses to take a Korean language test for a marriage visa beginning next year.
In addition, Korean spouses will have to have a given income level in order to be eligible for marriage to a foreigner."
I'm surprised this is constitutional. They've never heard of stay-at-home moms or dads? Seems like a court case will be challenging this. |
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tob55
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 2:46 pm Post subject: |
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| I just read the article and it was somewhat interesting. The vast majority of marriage visas are actually given to foreign wives marrying Korean men. The same is true of those seeking citizenship. About 80%+ of the individuals receiving narutalization are women from Asian countries. This is because of the high numbers of Korean men seeking foreign spouses. On the other hand, in the past I have questioned some young Korean women as to their preference in choosing a spouse. Predominantly, they indicated that they would like to have a Korean man as a husband. I guess the men don't see it that way these days. |
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Lucas
Joined: 11 Sep 2012
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| Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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| I guess the men don't see it that way these days. |
NO - It's because no Korean women will marry them - due to lack of money/'status'/family background......
So they sign up to an agency and buy a bride!
Sure some of these people end up happy but lots don't!
I was in E-mart a few weeks ago at the checkout - some early 40s K guy with his Asian import (early 20s) and their 1-2 year old kid.
He just stood there telling her where to put the food on the conveyor belt (she was holding the kid too!) 
I could see his fists tensing and relaxing/tensing and relaxing as he was speaking to her (in a passive aggressive way).
It's the only time (since i've been in K) that I�ve really wanted to beat the !@#!@ out of someone!
Even the check out lady said (once they'd gone) - 'poor girl, I hope she's okay!) |
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Swampfox10mm
Joined: 24 Mar 2011
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| Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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One of the local Korea apologists will probably tell us that this is more "progress" in terms of Korea accepting a more multi-ethnic society....
In truth, it's more about Korea attempting to shield its cultural identity in the wake of one of the lowest birth rates in the world. |
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chrisinkorea2011
Joined: 16 Jan 2011
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| Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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I do agree that communication is key for a korean and foreigner to maintain a healthy relationship BUT that is also key for ANYONE to have a healthy relationship. I think this is just the ministry trying to cover their rears incase things are brought up against them.
Also it says the interview for korean would be waived if the foreigner passed the BASIC TOPIK level which is ridiculously easy. Maybe its the ministry trying to work with the test centers to bring money ?  |
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big_fella1
Joined: 08 Dec 2005
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| Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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So suppose I'm a Korean who majored in Vietnamese at University and worked in Vietnam where I met and fell in love with a Vietnamese nuclear physicist who is fluent in Vietnamese, French and English. She will then be required to pass a Korean test to get a marriage visa for Korea, even though we'd speak in Vietnamese at home.
Is there anything else the state would like to regulate, like how we have sex? |
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uklathemock
Joined: 26 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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| big_fella1 wrote: |
So suppose I'm a Korean who majored in Vietnamese at University and worked in Vietnam where I met and fell in love with a Vietnamese nuclear physicist who is fluent in Vietnamese, French and English. She will then be required to pass a Korean test to get a marriage visa for Korea, even though we'd speak in Vietnamese at home.
Is there anything else the state would like to regulate, like how we have sex? |
This is Korea, not South Carolina or Alaska (where you couldn't get a legal BJ until 1971). lol |
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Fox
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 5:41 pm Post subject: |
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| big_fella1 wrote: |
| So suppose I'm a Korean who majored in Vietnamese at University and worked in Vietnam where I met and fell in love with a Vietnamese nuclear physicist who is fluent in Vietnamese, French and English. She will then be required to pass a Korean test to get a marriage visa for Korea, even though we'd speak in Vietnamese at home. |
You might speak Vietnamese in the home, but what about out and about? How can your non-Korean speaking wife possibly integrate into Korean-speaking society? How can she get help if she needs it, especially if it's your conduct she needs help regarding?
Requiring a basic level of Korean competence before issuing a permanent residency visa is completely reasonable, and probably even humane, because most Korean men aren't marrying highly-educated Vietnamese polyglots (who would have absolutely no problem picking up the basic Korean required to pass the test anyway), they are marrying monolingual Vietnamese paupers. It's in Korea's best interests if these women are able to integrate into the surrounding society. Part of that is offering social services (for example, subsidized childcare assistants and free daycare are both available), but part of it is also ensuring they have the proper life skills.
| big_fella1 wrote: |
| Is there anything else the state would like to regulate, like how we have sex? |
You're comparing an immigration visa requirement to regulation of sexual intercourse? |
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Who's Your Daddy?
Joined: 30 May 2010
Location: Victoria, Canada.
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| Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 5:53 pm Post subject: |
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This is the govt. response to mail order brides being abused by their husbands and helpless in the country. By requiring them to speak Korean, they wouldn't be so helpless here.
Although these rules might sound difficult, that might be a good idea.
The Canadian government does ask questions of language ability for visa applicants too. To expect Korean ability doesn't seem out of line. They want to ensure the immigrants can contribute to society.
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I think a larger issue unaddressed is the age gap between the applicants. 40 year old men with 20 year old wives. |
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Seoulman69
Joined: 14 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 6:00 pm Post subject: |
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It poses me a problem because I'm terrible at learning Korean. I'll keep trying though.
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| who would have absolutely no problem picking up the basic Korean required to pass the test anyway |
Do you know what the test entails? |
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Fox
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 6:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Seoulman69 wrote: |
It poses me a problem because I'm terrible at learning Korean. I'll keep trying though.
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| who would have absolutely no problem picking up the basic Korean required to pass the test anyway |
Do you know what the test entails? |
I know what the basic TOPIK test entails, and chrisinkorea2011 says that it can serve as a substitute. The intermediate test is hard, and the advanced test is quite hard, but the basic test is a breeze. So easy that I'm not sure it's actually an efficacious requirement given their probable goals. |
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RangerMcGreggor
Joined: 12 Jan 2011
Location: Somewhere in Korea
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| Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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| If the article says is correct, and you just need to pass basic TOPIK level test, than it's not that unreasonable. If you've lived here for some time, you're probably learned about half the required language without serious study. |
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tob55
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 6:47 pm Post subject: |
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| The ease of the TOPIC level 1 is exceptional. Back when I signed up for the KIIP prior to applying for citizenship I tested at level 4 - 5ish and I do not consider myself to be fluent in Korean. Much of the interview content is likely to be based on common sense type conversation, but if you are anything above survival level in Korean, then passing the level 1 exam should really not be an issue in my opinion. |
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big_fella1
Joined: 08 Dec 2005
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| Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Fox wrote: |
You might speak Vietnamese in the home, but what about out and about? How can your non-Korean speaking wife possibly integrate into Korean-speaking society? How can she get help if she needs it, especially if it's your conduct she needs help regarding? |
I did mention that this hypothetical person is fluent in English, she could use English like the rest of us do. No this isn't right but it is the reality.
| Quote: |
Requiring a basic level of Korean competence before issuing a permanent residency visa is completely reasonable, and probably even humane, because most Korean men aren't marrying highly-educated Vietnamese polyglots (who would have absolutely no problem picking up the basic Korean required to pass the test anyway), they are marrying monolingual Vietnamese paupers. It's in Korea's best interests if these women are able to integrate into the surrounding society. Part of that is offering social services (for example, subsidized childcare assistants and free daycare are both available), but part of it is also ensuring they have the proper life skills.
| big_fella1 wrote: |
| Is there anything else the state would like to regulate, like how we have sex? |
You're comparing an immigration visa requirement to regulation of sexual intercourse? |
My country Australia used to use a language test to keep out non-whites. My father had a choice of which European language he could take his grammar test in to get an Australian visa. Knowing that in Korea different people are treated differently does not inspire me with confidence.
Finally after having seen the expense and nonsense paparwork for my wifes Australian permanent residency visa (no English required) I am comparing immigration visa requirements to sexual intercourse. |
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tob55
Joined: 29 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Just attempted to click on the lnk for visa information at the HiKorea web-portal and they are making a major overhaul that should be finished by today according to the notice on the website when I clicked on it. So I am sure a lot of answers for some of the questions will be available either today or tomorrow for some people. |
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