Korean Job Discussion Forums

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

It would have to be pretty bad for me to do a runner.

I hear stories about it a lot. When I first came over, there seemed to be fewer runners, as the cash was good and privates were 40-50k an hour...but with a GREAT exchange rate.

Now the exchange rates suck, hakwons are popping up everywhere and people are getting screwed over a lot more.

I don't blame ppl who do runners. However I think people who don't tell their room mates or buddies they are running deserve a kick in the arse. Friends don't rat friends out...and friends like to know why their friends disappear all of a sudden.

ryleeys · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Columbia, MD

Honestly, I think about it every day.

I have concerns that I am gonna get boned on my flight home and severence. But as of yet, I can't bring myself to do it... damn morals and all.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Hang in there man, you can do it. Cool

Unless of course they start not paying you or something. Shocked

hereinkorea · Joined: 28 Mar 2004

How long before the actual run do you have to book your ticket? Can you buy it at the airport? Just wondering if these runners had to do a lot of planning or if they just decided to do it, then the next day, ran?

phaedrus · Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Location: I'm comin' to get ya.

I thought about running my first week. I was seriously unimpressed with my apartment. Thankfully I'm adaptable and endured until I got something better.

silver_butterfly · Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Location: South Korea

I have worked here in Korea for nearly 3 months - on my holiday visa. As I'm English my degree was 'delayed' because of industrial action, I asked my recruiter before I came if I would be working legally, she said it was fine as long as I did the visa run before the 3 months were up. As soon as I arrived I was told by my boss this wasn't the case and not to tell anyone I didn't have a visa (not much choice when you're new in country with no money!). My degree arrived at the beginning of this month in England and my friend posted it on for me by recorded post (costs �40 and takes 8 days). My holiday visa expires on the 28th of this month, but of course my degree gets lost in the mail and I have missed the time needed for my employer to fill in the paperwork. I had also given my employer my 2 months notice at the beginning of this month (I would leave the end of Jan, so 3 actually), so he wants me to pay for myself to fly out of the country after work on Saturday and be back on Sunday, ready to work for Monday, he also decided as I was leaving at the end of Jan he would save money and reminded me that I shouldn't tell anyone I have no visa, if anyone asks I'm visiting a friend. Being as nieve as I am, and feeling sheepish for quitting, I had agreed to pay for my 'short' trip. After learning the cost of this 'short' trip and reading up on the fact I have already broken the law for 3 months, and will continue to do so for a further 2 months, I have started talking to people. I don't want to continue taking the risk and doing something illegal, but I also don't want to leave my fellow teachers in the lurch. I am considering doing the midnight run and leaving the wages I have earned so far this month but unpaid (just under 2Million W and what I paid for security on my apt so far) with my school to cover the cost of flight, recruiter and bills in my apartment.
I feel immensley guilty about this - but also a bit of a sucker for partaking in illegal hogwan, I'd also feel bad for my fellow teachers.
I have spoken to one fellow teacher and she says I should come to work for the week and tell my boss I'm leaving for good on Friday tomorrow. I would like to do the 'right' thing, but I know I won't 'see' any of my wages and surely leaving them with 2M W is more than enough to cover the cost of everything? I also don't want the earache as I just don't want to break the law!
I also kinda understand my employer not wanting to spend any money on an employee for the sake of 5 months - but it's still bad! The fact they wanna do it this way makes me wonder if it's worth doing the honourable thing.
What do you guys think??

NilesQ · Joined: 27 Nov 2006

I think every situation is different. No use in guilting people for their choices. Do what you think is right for you, because in the end that is what everyone else will do. Nobody cares about you here. Look out for number one and try not to cause more problems than you have to.

Iamronin11 · Joined: 17 May 2009

is it illegal to do a midnight run? is there any law in korea against this?