Korean Job Discussion Forums

Sooke · Joined: 12 Jan 2004 Location: korea

I have heard a rumour that immigration will soon be doing mandatory drug tests for all E2 visa holders. Specifically, they will be making E2s entering the country to submit a pee-test upon entering.

Anybody hear anything about this? It would sure make my vacation home a bit lame if I can't have a few (hundred) tokes.

I don't do it here, for obvious reasons. But I don't see a problem with snowboarding back in my native country and unwinding at night with a big fat session.

Are our jobs worth the indignity and invasion of privacy? I'm beginning to think not.

"Why don't you just leave then, you Canadian Freedom hater!" you may say. Don't worry, I'm way ahead of you. I'm on the 6 month countdown. Soon, I'll be working in a country that doesn't assume I'm a criminal and harass me with endless degree confirmations and (proposed?) drug tests. [However, the country may harass me because I represent the Great Satan, but at least the pay is more than here Wink

)

riley · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Location: where creditors can find me

No, no, Sooke, smart people understand your worry. I'm not much of a smoker, but that's not the point of objecting to a pee test. I sure as hell don't want to have to piss in a cup when I enter the country. It's a definite invasion of privacy.
Now, on the other hand, can you actually imagine Immigration doing that at the airport? C'mon, I can't imagine that being done. It would take to long and be too difficult.
Does this happen anywhere in the world? Is there a country that tests visitors before they enter the country for drugs? (wait a second, I have a suspicion that the U.S. does this. If it does, could someone show proof of this?)

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

Beware second hand smoke too!

Sooke · Joined: 12 Jan 2004 Location: korea

lastat06513 · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 5:52 pm Post subject:

I have high doubts they would do it at the airports, rather than do it during a mandatory health check, which alot of teachers go through if they take a public school job.

I think one of the things that foreigners DON'T understand that any contact with marajuana is a crime in this country, period. It is not as laxed as in Canada and not as tolerated as in the US.

Korean entertainers have been arrested and their careers ruined by just being in contact (using or from second-hand smoke).

It is best to reframe from having anything to do with it until you know you are not going to come back to Korea.

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

I hear on the grapevine that western countries are planning to abandon drug tests for airline pilots too, not just teachers.

Laughing

voth · Joined: 05 Jan 2006

I wonder how they would handle those with paruresis better known as shy bladder syndrome? There are other ways of testing an individual for narcotics use, such as blood or a hair sample. I see this as an invasion of privacy plain and simple.

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

Good. One more way to rid us of useless people. First get rid of the fake degree people, then get rid of the drug users. Sounds okay to me. I can't take even one more teacher arrested for fake degrees or using drugs. How many times do we all have to be painted with the same brush?

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

joelseymour · Joined: 18 Apr 2005

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

Thunndarr · Joined: 30 Sep 2003

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

BigBlackEquus · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 9:43 pm Post subject:

It's true, at least in part!

I was going to start a whole new thread on this, and perhaps I should!

Today, I just re-entered on a new visa. The officer saw my visa stamp, and told me I had to walk to the right. I was taken into a little room off to the side, and told I had to drop my drawers in this special closet and pee while the very ugly female officer watched through a little window to make sure I didn't taint the urine. I objected, and got into an arguing match with the officers. I told them I would have nothing of it, and would contact the Canadian embassy. I screamed at them, "We only allow your people easy entrance to our country because you do the same for us! Now let go, or I will complain to the Canadian Embassy, and they will immediately revoke all Korean tourist visas!"

They laughed, and about seven of them struggled with me, held me down, and ripped off my pants. They then proceeded to snake a catheter up my gochu! When the tube reached its destination, there was nothing I could do but pee.

The instant tests were negative, and I was told that I would be contacted at one of the contact numbers I had to leave with them as to the results of the more extensive tests.

I was released, but sadly, there was a tall thin dude from Vancouver who was returning from a trip to Amsterdam being taken away in handcuffs at the same time. He kept screaming, "What I did and where I did it was legal!"

Then, he started crying. Terrible, just terrible. Oh, OK, it didn't happen, but it was fun to write!

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

A sobering tale, even if in jest.