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fidel
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
Location: North Shore NZ
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 Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 1:04 am Post subject: Prison diary of an English teacher |
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Just came across this;
http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?no=226771&rel_no=1
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One visa-less American has spent two months in prison awaiting deportation from Korea
In recent months the Korean government has been cracking down nationwide on foreign English teachers working illegally.
English-language instruction is a massive industry here, with relatively high salaries for native English speakers and the owners of the private institutions. But over the past few years, stories of unqualified instructors have faced the glare of the media spotlight.
In the most recent instance, a television documentary in February highlighted negligence and criminal activities by some of these foreign teachers, prompting public outcry and renewed government action.
Widespread arrests and deportations have alarmed the expat community. Many feel there is no due process and point to insufficient legal representation, protections and instances of "summary justice." |
Click the link to read more.
There is also a part 2. |
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Ya-ta Boy
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Established in 1994
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| Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 4:03 am Post subject: |
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Parts of that were interesting. I've always wanted to know more about life behind bars.
Too bad he didn't explain more about how he came to be behind bars. (I mean, why were they suspicious of him in particular.)
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When I was first brought to the immigration authorities in Busan, I was threatened verbally as well as physically because I refused to show them my passport. It was taken from me by force after at least seven immigration and police officials held me down (one, almost suffocated me by covering my mouth.) Before they knew I was an American they thought I was from some African country. After they learned I was American, their attitudes changed drastically...
Although I can't blame the police and immigration officials for trying to do their jobs, I believe my human rights were violated. I do not seek retribution. I don't want revenge. I do, however, feel that if the way I was treated in their zeal to determine my identity is common practice, then such procedures should be immediately discontinued, corrected and discouraged by law. |
What could possibly have been running through his mind? Any law enforcement officer has a right to ask to see ID. That's what IDs are for.
Being locked up for any reason must be pure heck. I wouldn't like it. And yes, teaching English is not a crime in the real sense. But the law says you can only do it under certain very limited circumstances. He knew that when he began teaching. I don't feel all that sympathetic to him. |
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stumptown
Joined: 11 Apr 2005
Location: Paju: Wife beating capital of Korea
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| Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 4:17 am Post subject: |
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| But if, and truly only if, those descriptions he provided are true, shouldn't he be provided by representation from his embassy? For violating an immigration law money is the only redemption. I violated one, and I had to pay 500,000 won retribution and all was ok. |
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mithridates
Joined: 03 Mar 2003
Location: President's office, Korean Space Agency
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| Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 4:19 am Post subject: |
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| Even if Korea is legally correct here, it likely won't be good for their pr. If this guy keeps writing and starts moving into blogging after being released it could spell trouble. |
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JacktheCat
Joined: 08 May 2004
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| Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 4:22 am Post subject: |
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| mithridates wrote: |
Even if Korea is legally correct here, it likely won't be good for their pr. If this guy keeps writing and starts moving into blogging after being released it could spell trouble.
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Korea's worldwide PR image is already so bad, I don't see how it could get any worse. |
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stumptown
Joined: 11 Apr 2005
Location: Paju: Wife beating capital of Korea
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| Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 4:23 am Post subject: |
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| But I wonder about the situation. If I were in a similar situation, I would have my parents/friends/anyone calling my local senators or representatives and have them ask "What exactly is going on here?" |
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hellofaniceguy
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Location: On your computer screen!
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| Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 4:53 am Post subject: |
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I'm not being rightous...but..don't do the crime if you can't do the time.
"We" are all happy when we are breaking the law and getting money and hoping we don't get caught....but...hey...this is not our country.
Foreigners are treated with indifference. Korean society is not egalitarian...foreigners will never ever fit in or be accepted. And if you are a black person...we already know that most koreans are racists.....so being in jail is no picnic I am sure!
But...what troubles me is these business owners....korean business owners who are friggin idiots...they hire illegals....pay them until they get caught and then stiff them for the final pay!!
Are they in jail? I think not! Just pay a fine or bribe and be on their way. |
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steroidmaximus
Joined: 27 Jan 2003
Location: GangWon-Do
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Swiss James
Joined: 26 Nov 2003
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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| I feel a lot more sympathy to all of the factory workers who are locked up there than I do towards this guy. He seems to be sitting out his time to see what happens, taking note of whether guards have band-aids in the medical box, it seems more like he's doing research for a project than doing anything towards getting out of that place. |
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Rock
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
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| Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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I think that in a sense this is good that the police and immigration are cracking down. Ever been to Taiwan, seen the stuff going on there? If what happens in Taiwan were to happen here, we'd all be in trouble, meaning the job market would be saturated with these illegal jerks-and I say "jerks" because many of them have this 'anti-academic' air about them-so that we'd be getting more and more abused by hagwon owners of our rights and treatment left and right. In Taiwan, they treat illegals better than legals and legals like crap.
They do this because they have complete control, they don't have to go by a contract; the illegals don't make waves, and they can be greedier, skip taxes and all. I'm glad Korea is getting tough. Tired of these illegal bozos, and feel like turning in some myself. |
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itaewonguy
Joined: 25 Mar 2003
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| Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 8:04 pm Post subject: |
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Last edited by itaewonguy on Thu May 26, 2005 12:52 am; edited 1 time in total |
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itaewonguy
Joined: 25 Mar 2003
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| Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 8:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Rock wrote: |
They do this because they have complete control, they don't have to go by a contract; the illegals don't make waves, and they can be greedier, skip taxes and all. I'm glad Korea is getting tough. Tired of these illegal bozos, and feel like turning in some myself. |
And what makes you better?
becuase you studied BIOLOGY for 4 years! or MATH so that makes you a TEACHER- LEGAL- BOZO! get off your high horse sunshine! I have a 4 year degree in marketing and a 2 year diploma in film production!
doesnt make me a teacher!
you want to talk about ILLEGAL! you want to talk about GREED! go look at the majority of the HAKWON owners in korea! thats ILLEGAL! they should be shot!
If you ask me! 4 year degree holders and illegal people are the SAME!
both have NO RIGHTS being here!!
we went to UNI to study a subject that we wanted to work in!
not come over here and teach English!
If you wanted to be a teacher then you should have studied ENGLISH or went to teachers college! etc.. then your option can be coming to asia to teach to pay off loans! a kind of perk for becoming a teacher! due to the fact you will have to work for low wages!
BUT NO! the loser 4 year degree holders who coulndt find a job back home which pays to standard want to come here and milk the system!
but get all ANGRY when someone without the proper credentials does too!
wake up! we are all no better than the illegals! the only difference is! they didnt have to study for 4 years and make a debt of 30K! they just jumped on the wagon! dont hate the players! hate the game!
ohh and ROCK if you have a teaching degree then good on you.. wish you the best!
if you dont SHUT UP! and live your own life!
AND dont worry about what others are doing |
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Kyrei
Joined: 22 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, Itaewonguy... did you run out of meds?
Sheesh... just relax a little. So much stress is bad for your heart. |
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JacktheCat
Joined: 08 May 2004
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| Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 8:27 pm Post subject: |
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Actually the Korean immigration lockup sounds pretty posh.
A lot better than the prisons in Berlin and London that I've been had the misfortune to grace. |
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Manner of Speaking
Joined: 09 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 4:43 am Post subject: |
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| hellofaniceguy wrote: |
| I'm not being rightous...but..don't do the crime if you can't do the time. |
Bingo.
Have you ever read anything so effing stupid in all your life? He sounds like he thinks Amnesty International should start a campaign for him!  |
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