Korean Job Discussion Forums

white_shadow · Joined: 28 Mar 2005

I'll be doing an internship, well sort of. I will be working for a Korean Tech company, I won't be paid, but I'll receive room and board. I might even receive a limited living stipend.

I will have dual citizenships and am primarily going to Korea for fun. I'll be there for at least two months at one place and maybe for an extended time if I learn how to read, write and speak better.

Will I need a work permit or something like that? My family seems to think I can simply fly over there and hold a sign up at the airport with my name on it. By the way I will be working for my uncle, its his company.

jay-shi · Joined: 09 May 2004 Location: On tour

Summer Wine · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Location: Next to a River

"Primarily going for fun."

Thats a new one on me. Korea for fun??? Hmm, heard it discussed a few ways but not those two words together.

NearlyKorean · Joined: 15 Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ

Are you male?
Is your mandatory Military service completed?

If not, you may get invited to do a 2 year and 6 month internship in the Korean Military. But don't worry, they don't pay you either, but also give you room, board and clothing... Very Happy

Best Wishes.

paperbag princess · Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Location: veggie hell

can you have dual citizenship when you're american? i didn't realise that.

white_shadow · Joined: 28 Mar 2005

I was born in Seoul and I'll be a US citizen on April 29.

No I haven't served in the military, but I'd be a US citizen so I wouldn't have to right?

pdxsteve · Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Location: Bundang

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Your best bet is to call the Korean embassy and get direct advice. They can tell you how to renounce Korean citizenship, get your name off the hoju list so you don't have to serve in the military--but are you sure you want to give up the opportunity for 26 months of service at W30,000 a month? Wink

They can then tell you if you will need a work visa.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

you're in the army now
you're not behind the plow

you gotta get up
you gotta get up

you're in the army now!

If you claim dual citizenship you must complete your military service!

Contact the Korean consulate to find out where exactly you stand. It would be a rude awakening to be met at the airport by some guys in uniform.

NearlyKorean · Joined: 15 Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

The USA does semi-offically recoginze dual or multi citizenships (I had a friend with 4 citizenships). The rules regarding this are laid out in the front pages of American passports. Basically it comes down to: on US soil you're beholden to US citizenship, in the country of your other citizenship, you're beholden to their laws, and in third party countries you can choose.

Several prominent Americans, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger (US\Austria), have dual-citizenships and something like half the population of Israel also have American citizenship.