Korean Job Discussion Forums

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

I worked in Korea 4 years ago when Iw as young and naive. Had the stereotypical nightmare job and felt obligated to do a midnight flit.

Four years on I have a new passport and new number, in theory new no records of me.

Is this thinking correct?

When applying for positions is it a good or a bad thing to mention that I have worked there before?

Any advice would be great. I feel I am now ready to return to the smell of gimichi and soju once again.
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Just thought I had better try and not sound like a loon.

The straw that broke the back years ago was finding my boss's nephew in my apartment turning it upside down looking for my passport to keep.

I had expressed annoyance at my salary coming two weeks late prior to this attempted theft taking place.

I found that was a bit much and had to leave ASAP.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

The first six numbers of your new ID number will still be the same. That could tip them off if there's still a record of you. Probably you'll be fine given the time that's passed.

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

Is that my ARC card or my passport?

Passport has totally different numbers.

No idea what was on my ARC card. Had my wallet stolen in Thailand with it in. I had intended to drop it in at the Korean embassy here but lost it before I had a chance.

Is that going to cause me any problems?

Is it worthwhile checking with the Korean consular here in Bangkok or am I just letting the paranoia get out of control again?

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I did it once back in 98. No problems.

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

Excellent

That is what I want to here.

Now to decide whether or not to bring the wife with me.

A new post I think.

venus · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Near Seoul

Unless you commited some heinous crime here back then, you shouldn't have a problem...

Curious. Why are you so worried. If you just got fired, or did a midnight run, there won't be a problem this many years later...

But most people would know that or assume that automatically...

What did you do - huh, huh....? (tongue in cheek of course.)

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

I'm just a bit mental.

That's all

Good old fashioned paranoia.

.

venus · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Near Seoul

Darn. I was hoping for a tale of shady deeds gory and twisted...

Couldn't make something up could you..? Including blackmail, mysterious women, pimps and hot sex...?

Too much desk time, final exams approaching...

Lets make a thread where we all tell each other sick stories... Very Happy

Or I could just read the threads about working in hakwans I guess... Laughing

venus · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Near Seoul

Jack_Sarang · Joined: 13 Aug 2006

Not sure how detailed the records are, but airport immigration will definately know its the same you.

My Canadian passport expired while I was in Korea and got a new one issued from the Seoul office. New # etc. When I went to leave the country I had to go into the airport immigration office to get a new 'entry' stamp to show when I had entered the country. (They could have just looked at my old passport but I didn't have it with me).

Anyway, they just typed something into their computer and pulled up my entry records from my old passport number.

frankly speaking · Joined: 23 Oct 2005

You won't have any problems. Even if you had the same passport nothing would happen. When you leave, the school usually cancels your visa and it is done. Very rare that there would be a record of it. In your resume' you have two options. One: don't put that you taught in Korea at all. Two: change the name of the school. If they see that you taught in Korea, they usually call for a reference. If the new school finds out that you ran, you won't get hired.

It is better not to run. Especially if you are bringing your wife. My suggestion is to go over first for one month. If you like the school and apartment then bring over your wife. Also since you are flying over from Thailand, you might want to pay your own airfare. You can then ask them to pay your taxes for you. Which will give you an extra 100,000 Won a month. You will make more money and don't owe them anything if you decide to quit.

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

That is sort of along my chain of thought.

If I fly out for a month, find a position, get the right documents then fly back to Thailand I can tie up loose ends here and get my visa at the BKK consulate.

Kick the wife up the arse and tell her to start sorting herself out. Fly back out and dip my toe in, before giving the all clear for her to follow me.

twg · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Location: Getting some fresh air...

They probably threw your file out a few months after you pulled a runner. I doubt you'll have a problem.

Unless your ex boss now works at immigration.

Then you're fucked

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

Dammit

You just crushed my image in my head of being on their most wanted list. Crying or Very sad

philipjames · Joined: 03 Feb 2003

I heard that they can still detect you even with a new passport. I'm a dual citizen and I wondered about the 'new' passport thing before. I was told that they can still identify you by matching your name to your birthdate.

In the day of multiple-citizenship authorities surely have a way to monitor people. I'd be careful on that account.

But if all you did was a midnight run you'll almost certainly be fine. You'll not be the first person to have done that and returned to Korea. The only thing is you can't return before your old contract (one year) expires. Unless you signed a five year contract you shouldn't have any problem.

Good Luck