Korean Job Discussion Forums

BeeEll27 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006

I got into an altercation. A korean guy hit a girl I was with, and I hit him.
He is injured enough to get the 6 weeks off. If we don't settle, I could have to pay the fine to the police, and then pay damages to him. Meanwhile, I feel reasonably innocent that I was acting in self-defense, protecting her. My director is being very helpful, but isn't quite sure how this will play out. I'm not offically charged with anything, so I could fly out. But would I be able to come back in a few months? Any suggestions.
Thanks!

bosintang · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:17 pm Post subject:

Leave immediately and don't come back, or get yourself a lawyer. There are no self-defence laws in KOrea, so expect to pay lots of blood money.

diver · Joined: 16 Jun 2003

I'd say get your Korean girl friend to counter-sue right away.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

bosintang · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:26 pm Post subject:

Get a lawyer. Taking advice from people on an anonymous message board is not the way to go about it.

BeeEll27 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006

hit him once. yeah thanks, If I stick, and don't settle, I will need a lawyer.
But what about being able to come back?

bosintang · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:31 pm Post subject:

BeeEll27 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006

okay thanks bosintang

seoulsucker · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:35 pm Post subject:

God, the legal system here is a joke.

Are Koreans as bad with other Koreans, or do they just understand it's 10X easier to get blood money out of a foreigner because the police will unconditionally side with them in 99% of altercations?

Bill Brasky · Joined: 13 Feb 2006

was the girl injured?

BeeEll27 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006

yes, black eye, sore cheek, and so on. she's pressing charges.

canuckistan · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:41 pm Post subject:

stumptown · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 9:00 pm Post subject:

Keep us posted. Stories like this can help the rest of understand the "legal" system of Korea. I have heard about people suing and winning, but never first hand. I side with Bosintang 100% nab a lawyer right away, hopefully one who studied for some time abroad so that there isn't any language problem.
When it happened to someone I know, his manager represented him and told him to just pay the money because if they sue you in court you have a mark on your criminal record, thereby invalidating visa renewal. I also heard that if you settle out of court the max you would have to pay is 1.5 mil won. But in this system I'm sure it varies from court to court and precinct to precinct. Like everything else Rolling Eyes

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

Contrary to what someone said above, the legal system is not 'a joke'. The police have a thing or two to learn, but i can personally attest to the courts being fair.
The good thing is that your g-friend is also sueing. Hopefully she has a police report and photos taken at the time of injury. If not, things may not be easy.

Regarding your case, you definitely need a lawyer, and if I were you, i'd fight it all the way. You have a decent chance of winning because the police never charged you with anything. At the very least, you could drag it on for months, and put this guy through more missed work, just for being an ass in the first place.

Either you settle with paying an exorbitant amount now against principle, or pay a little more OR LESS down the road and stick to what you know is right...not to metion have the guy sweat it out in waiting.

jinju · Joined: 22 Jan 2006