Korean Job Discussion Forums

[yomuthabyotch]

Hey! I'm a newbie and I've been lurking around here for quite some time, but didn't register till now.

I'm from the Evil Empire and currently in the process of obtaining a TESL certificate in the wet, miserable state of Washington. I'm planning on teaching in Seoul as soon as I get my certification and my dual citizenship status nulled (I don't wanna get my ass beat in the ROK army!). Hopefully, things'll work out so that I'll be able to say good-bye to the US by spring. I voted for the first time and lemme just say, what good timing it is for me to flee the country!

I'm Korean and I would love to hear from other gyopo members on this forum. Most of the contributors here are weh-guk-in, and from what I've been reading, it seems their perspectives about life in Korea, though equally insightful and valid, are VERY different from that of the gyopo experience. But then again, I'll have a chance to see for myself real soon, so....

Thanks, everyone!

[DrewAgain]

Same here. I've read posts here for a couple of months, but haven't bothered to register until recently, which I did now that I know I'll be going to Korea in the spring. I'm not from the evil empire but I AM Korean-Canadian. But what's a Gyopo? I'm 2nd generation Korean and I'm still not fully aware of that term.

Also like you, I've noticed a general trend in the majority of posts here on this board. I respect these posts because I have never lived or been in Korea for longer than 3 weeks, so I'm no expert. But then again, being raised by Korean parents I know not all that is said is true. That's why I can't wait to find out for myself in a few months.

[fidel]

My son has dual citizenship and from what the Korean authorities have told us, is that if he doesn't renounce his Korean citizenship by the time he is 18 then no matter what, if he returns to Korea after that date he will be press ganged in the military.

However bear in mind that the Korean bureacracy seems to say different things to different people and it's difficult to get a clear cut answer in regards to official rules and policies.

Best to make 100% sure before you enter the country.

[yomuthabyotch]

Wow, a reply--how exciting!

A 'gyopo', in my definition, is a person of Korean descent living abroad (please correct me if I'm wrong, my Korean fluency is only about 70%--FOR SHAME).

2nd-gen, huh? I'm a 1.5er--I was born in Korea, but moved to the States when I was young. You might wanna look into getting your dual-citizenship status nulled too before heading over there. Even if you were not born in Korea, your parents were... details, details, details. It's a hassle and a bit BS, but all you need to do is talk to your local Korean Consulate they'll tell you what kinda paperwork you'll have to obtain from whoever your contacts are in Korea (family) and then fill out more paperwork.

Then you wait. I'm still waiting to hear back from whatever Korean government agency it is that handles these things, and I sent in my documents in back in October.

[Real Reality]

Discrimination
Having taught English conversation, there have been too many students that have withdrawn from this writer's class simply because of the color of their instructor's skin. This Korean-American has personally experienced the deep discrimination/racism of Korea, and it is painful.
Chosun Ilbo (December 25, 2002)
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200212/200212250002.html

[LETTERS TO THE EDITOR] Adoptions: Korean disgrace
... a history that continues to allow itself to be marred by the unequal circumstances of poverty, social conservatism, political inferiority, missionary zeal, racism, prejudice, ignorance, the unequal status of women and a lack of social welfare and sex education. The simple fact that South Korea continues to export its children abroad, at the rate of more than 2,000 babies per year, especially when the domestic birth rate is at an all-time low, is nothing less than a disgrace.
Now that the Korean press has filed away its reports, the television crews have packed up their bags, and the stories about "successful" adoptees, tearful reunions, and adoptees' struggles with identity can once again be forgotten, what does that leave us, the adoptees, with?...I think nothing will be done -- by Koreans, that is. Because if the government was going to do something about changing the policy on international adoption, it would have done so already, as it has promised to do in the past.
by Kim Stoker, JoongAng Daily (August 17, 2004)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200408/17/200408172214553079900090109013.html

Safeguarding Amerasian kids from bigotry of our society
by Lee Sun-young, Korea Herald (December 23, 2004)
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2004/12/23/200412230026.asp

Many Korean-Americans born and/or living abroad (and citizens of another country) do not realize that they may be considered a Korean national and will be subject to Korean military obligation under Korean law. For example, let's say you were born in the United States to Korean national parents and as a result, you automatically acquired U.S. citizenship. Unknown to you, your birth in the United States was recorded in your Family Register in Korea by your grandfather in Korea. This makes you a dual citizen and subject to Korean military obligation. There has been instances where a dual citizen born in the United States and have been residing in the United States has been drafted into Korean military!
http://www.korealaw.com/content/immigration/Immigration01_02.asp?cate=31

Korean-American Forced to Serve in Military
Kang came back to live in his motherland when he was 32 years old after both his parents passed away in the U.S. "I knew any male had to serve in the military (in Korea), but I thought the age limit was 32. My pastor also told me that I'd be exempt from the Korean military service because I served in the U.S. military," Kang said. However, when Kang tried to apply for his citizen's registration card, he found out that he was still required to serve out his mandatory two years as the Defense Ministry had changed their age limit to 35 a few years ago. The government pays him 26,000 won a month ($21) and some 110,000 won for lunch and transportation.
by Byun Duk-kun, Korea Times (December 12, 2003)
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200312/kt2003121218123212020.htm

[DrewAgain]

No dual citizenship for me! Both my parents gave up their Korean citizenship the moment they got their Canadian; that was years before I was even born. They've never since bothered to have me do anything with Korean bureaucracy.

And Real Reality, thanks for your concern but I'm quite confident I'll find a job and keep it.

[yomuthabyotch]

^Ah, but there's a catch....

Are your parents assuming that their Korean citizenship status was automatically nulled once they became Canadian citizens? See, that is the case in most countries--once you become a citizen of that country, your former citizenship is revoked; however, that doesn't seem to be the case with the said bureaucracy in Korea. Because my parents and I were under the same assumption too; but when my relatives in Seoul checked our records, we were STILL considered Korean citizens--jumin-dungrok-bunho and all (some kinda Korean social security number).

So just to be safe, you better double check on that. Luckily for me, I won't be doing any one-handed push-ups next to ya at Korean bootcamp!

[fidel]

So what about the supposed rule that you should have removed yourself from the family registry before you were 18, or tough luck?

[yomuthabyotch]

^Y'know, I don't know anymore!

My relatives did some research and told me that there were some mandatory documents I had to fill out, which were basically application forms to relinquish my Korean citizenship. They were told that the US Korean Consulates carried those papers, and when I visited the one in Seattle, what-dya-know, there they were. The clerks there told me to send in my hojuk (?) documents from Korea along with the applications, then said they'll be processed in Korea. So my relatives just shipped over the necessary stuff and I mailed everything in a pre-addressed envelope bound for Korea.

As simple as that--or is it? I don't know. Like I said, I'm still waiting for the response.

[little mixed girl]

well, if u get your stuff worked out good luck.
it's raining in washington state? my friend lives there and says it's terribly cold.

i think all ppl are gonna have a different view of korea.
i'm not korean or asian, but i feel in various ways that i've gotten a better reception in korea than some ppl here. even tho it was only a 2 summer trip.

if ya'll can do some good to promote that korean-americans are americans and can speak english well then that'd be good...

mmm...whatever...

[yomuthabyotch]

^You post here too?? Couldn't deny your internet-forum fixation either, could ya? I used to frequent MM a lot. I haven't posted there in a while--kinda got fed up with the BS that they perpetuate under the guise of 'empowerment'--but I've been bored again lately and went back (apparently, NOTHING's changed over there!).

I figure, if AMs are so damned oppressed in the US, according to those retards at MM, just get the hell out and quit b----ing on an internet forum! That's what I'm doing; I'm gettin' the hell out--not that I feel oppressed or anything.

[ThisCharmingMan]

[yomuthabyotch]

[canadian_in_korea]

Well I am not a gyopo.....I met a guy from the U.S. who is a gyopo. I was kind of shocked...I assumed that if anything gyopos would be treated more "special"....their English ability being so good....the guy I met said..."I don't "belong" in the U.S. because I'm Korean, I don't belong in Korea because I'm American....I'm starting to wonder where my home is"... ...I felt terrible for this guy. He said Korean people were sooo judgemental of him because he looks Korean but doesn't follow "korean customs"....I guess he meant what he should or shouldn't do in front of elders. Anyway....maybe if you have a positive attitude....don't let things get to you...you'll most likely be fine. I have heard and read so many horror stories about things that happen to foreigners here in Korea...but personally I haven't had anything happen to me (so far... ) my experience has been a very good one. I'm guessing that you will hear god and bad experiences here....but you will know better when you get here....good luck! I hope you don't get wrangled into the Korean military...my husband doesn't want to register any boys (if we have boys) on his family registry....he doesn't want there to be any possibility that they might have to serve in the Korean military. Again...good luck!

[Yaya]

As a Korean-American who lived in Seoul for nine years, let me give you my insights:

1) Stay away from other gyopos. Some are nice but many will a) harp on how bad Korea is b) backstab you (it's a gyopo sport) or c) just annoy the hell out of you. Try hanging with the locals instead.

2) Downplay your gyopo status. Gyopos have a horrendous rep for being arrogant just because they grew up in the West and speak English. Try to be humble and the like.

3) Learn Korean. I'm not sure how good or bad your Korean is, but I met gyopos who had been in Korea for years who STILL couldn't get past the basic stuff. It'll brighten just about every prospect, personal or professional, that you might come across.

4) Try not to hang with Korea bashers. Yes, Korea isn't perfect but well, do you quit smoking by hanging out with other smokers? NO!

5) Watch your booze intake. Korea can bring out the best and worst in all of us.

Hmm, that's all I can think of now.