Korean Job Discussion Forums

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Anyone have membership?

How much is it?

Also heard you can get a base pass with membership?

wo buxihuan hanguoren · Joined: 18 Apr 2007 Location: Suyuskis

Yeah, you can get on base. A year's membership is 1 million won.

If I stayed close to the base in Yongsan, I would seriously consider it actually. The base is great for good food.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

If someone has membership, can they sign someone else in to get on base? Or is it just for the member only?

Wouldn't mind some good food! Plus heard they have a cinema with more options of movies playing than available in Seoul? True?

wo buxihuan hanguoren · Joined: 18 Apr 2007 Location: Suyuskis

They can take two other people on base with them. They would need two forms of ID though (maybe your passport and driver's license, or ARC).

Not sure about the cinema, but I do know that there is a golf course there.

Also, for the fatties, the Burger King there sells Triple Whoppers!

CeleryMan · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Location: Seoul

I'd love to split a membership 3-way. Anyone in?

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

If I had more time, I would seriously consider joining. For you Canadians, there is the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Its a great way to network. Especially for those people who want to move on from an English Teaching job to something else.

The problem is 90% of the events they have scheduled are during the daytime when I am teaching. I think $1000 is a little too much to spend if I'm only going to show up to a couple dinners.

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

You can buy a membership to the base? Allowing you access to the grocery stores? I need to know more, please.

pdxsteve · Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Location: Bundang

Roch · Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I did apply for membership about a month ago.

I just got an email requesting me to pay 175,000 won.

Don't know how doing that is gonna get me on base. But it is a major motivation for membership. I'm craving some good food!

CeleryMan · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Location: Seoul

Tiger Beer:

Keep us posted on you access privileges. I'm sure you're recoup that $175 in no time. I'd pay you to have you sponsor me on base.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Is there still a Taco Bell on base?

byunhosa · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Location: Center Ice

1) AMCHAM membership can enable to you to purchase a base pass, but AMCHAM membership alone will not get you on base.

2) The base pass you purchase gets you some general privileges, but not all privileges. For example, you will not be able to shop at the commissary (grocery store) with the base pass. You would need a mlitary ID or ration card for that.

3) Yes, there is still a Taco Bell on base.

CeleryMan · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Location: Seoul

From what I've gathered, an AMCHAM membership gives one the ability to purchase a base pass.

This means you can enter 8th Army Base without a sponsor, correct?

Once on base, one can only purchase "services" not hard goods.

The motive for an AMCHAM membership at least for me is to eat at the many restaurants & food courts.

byunhosa · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Location: Center Ice

CeleryMan:

You are correct, AMCHAM membership does enable you to purchase a base pass, but it does not entitle the holder to buy goods like groceries, liquor, etc. on base. The PX/exchange (which is like Wal-mart) or the commissary (supermarket) will check your ID, and a base pass will not be sufficient for shopping at these places.

The base pass will enable you to go the food court, which means you can go to Taco Bell etc., and you can go the Dragon Hill Lodge and use the restaurants there. I like Taco Bell as much as the next guy, but I am not sure if the right to go there is worth several hundred USD (maybe close to US$1000) per year. I just want to make sure everyone understands this.

Also, I would doubt that the membership can be "shared" or that it is transferable. I suspect it is in one person's name only, but you can check on this.

If you are friendly with a GI or contractor with an ID, he/she can sign you on to the base, but again you cannot shop at the commissary or PX. I don't think you can even enter these places accompanied by an ID card holder.

From what I've gathered, one attractive benefit of a base pass is reducing your commute time by driving through the base if you're going across town; of course, you need a separate vehicle pass for this, but if this is your rationale, it may not be a bad idea.

You should check the AMCHAM website for the full skinny.

Hope this helps.