Korean Job Discussion Forums

[itaewonguy]

If you were able to teach in North korea would you do it?

I mean imagine living and working in a society which has been closed from the outside world . Day to day life would be so different to what we know.. The students, children or adults wouldnt take much to make them happy. it would be like korea 20 years ago...

so what are your thoughts on this? does that sound like something you would be interested in?
of course the money wouldnt be much and I doubt you will get privates
hahahahahha but HEY!! just the idea of living and working among people who have been closed off to the world..

ID go for sure!

[ajgeddes]

Yes, but not for a full year. Maybe for 3 months. Eventually it would just get really boring I think. You wouldn't have the freedom to do anything.

[seoulman1]

that would be a great experience. But yeh more than three months and the entire situation would become stale.. Unless they start treating you like a king like that US army defectant guy.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

I'd imagine it would be very dull after the first fortnight and that each night you'd be stuck in some buffet with noraebang as all to look forward to.

Furthermore,if you don't get paid,well,what are you going to do?

[Woden]

It would be pretty unethical to live there in the present climate too.

[Major Kong]

In a heartbeat, as long as I have 3 squares a day and a warm place to sleep this winter, unlike most of my students. I'd share some calories, both nutritional and warmth wise.

[sojourner1]

I would go if they pay me enough money and ensure my safety, while providing me modern amenities such as internet, hot water, and indoor toilet.

I would guess I would suffer many temporary hardships and inconveniences to fatten that bank account when it comes down to it. There is nothing comparable to having money in the bank other than having non cash assets that are easily liquidated.

[Major Kong]

Seriously, I'd fill my suitcase with Granola bars and blankets.

[Major Kong]

And vitamins.

[chris_J2]

Not with a per capita income of $1,007 (149th global rank). No Cost-co or Emart, no public transport, no gas, no roads etc etc

There are many more 'developed' third world countries: China, India, Vietnam eg

From wiki:

The country struggled throughout the 1990s, largely due to the loss of strategic trade arrangements with the USSR[12] and strained relations with China following China's normalization with South Korea in 1992.[13] In addition, North Korea experienced record-breaking floods (1995 and 1996) followed by several years of equally severe drought beginning in 1997.[14] This, compounded with only 18 percent arable land[15] and an inability to import the goods necessary to sustain industry,[16] led to an immense famine and left North Korea in economic shambles. Large numbers of North Koreans illegally entered the People's Republic of China in search of food. Faced with a country in decay, Kim Jong-il adopted a "Military-First" policy to reinforce the regime.[17]

Wiki is okay for general info like the above, but not a recognised academic source.

[Captain Corea]

Just bore yourself with reading Comrades and Strangers and you'll achieve the same effect.

[butlerian]

[chris_J2]

Butlerian: Sometimes it's hard enough just living in South Korea. I have never been to Cost Co, but it's nice to know it's there, if I need it. Power & water supply in North Korea would be sketchy at best. Then there's food quality & quantity. (Often zero). Currently famine conditions. I've been to many third world countries (Indonesia, Cambodia, Bangladesh eg) & the monotonous rice diet would drive me nuts after 2 weeks.)

[butlerian]

[GoldMember]

Ask yourself, are you prepared to live like a monk for a year?
No rompy pompy, any female you even looks at you, would be send to a gulag.
What's the bet your apartment is bugged, and there are secret cameras.
It' a no brainer. NO WAY!