Korean Job Discussion Forums

birdsburn · Joined: 13 Jan 2008

Hello everyone, I just joined this forum. Before I start I wanted to thank everyone that has contributed so much information to this site. It has been a tremendous help during my job search. You all are amazing!

I am curious as to why I have received a couple contracts that do not contain any Korean. From what I understand, the binding language in South Korea is...Korean. So what exactly are they expecting me to sign? One is from a school with a less than stellar reputation here, so I am a bit weary.

Are they simply planning to add the Korean after I have signed? What would prevent them from doing as they wish with the stipulations?

Sorry if this has been discussed previously, but it is a bit hard to search the forums on this one.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

georgewallas · Joined: 26 Nov 2007

Do not sign anything in Korean.

Change the contract to suit your needs, and send it to them. They'll either sign it, or not. You're better off getting things your way, than getting screwed at the end. You're bound to lose 100% of the "out to get you bunch" and if they try shit, you'll have a LB case to back up claims.
Culture aside, if your employer makes changes, have him sign for it, pretend it's for language difficulties issues, and that you want to be certain that you understand him completely.

Labor Board and court disputes are things that takes patience, time [not the same thing], and meticulous documentation. Assume the worst here, and you'll rarely get screwed.

I've taught in 2 Asian countries before I came here. Koreans are unique in Asia, as far as the level of outward nastiness they dislay, and the level of "out to get you" they have for foreigners.
I arrived from Thailand, so I was really broke and had no choice but to come here. If you're coming from the west, head straight to Taiwan Smile

Ut videam · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Location: Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do

Many of the contracts that are only in English include a clause stipulating that the binding or governing version is the English language version, and that any Korean language version is merely for explanatory purposes. If the contract doesn't have such language, I'd try to get it inserted. Check the contracts sticky thread for examples.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Hootsmon · Joined: 22 Jan 2008

Yeah, I'm the same as Ya-ta. I've signed a few contracts and they've all had Korean parts but every single one has stated somewhere that if there is a contract dispute, the English version will be used.

littlelisa · Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Location: Seoul

My contract originally said that the governing language was Korean. I had it changed to Korean and English (they wouldn't accept English only).

I've never seen one that says that its governing language was English in case of a dispute.

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

My contract says the governing language will be English, and not a word of Korean is anywhere on it. It also says that any later agreements must be in English and Korean translations are only for "help" if the need arises and that I must certify that the Korean translation is accurate before it's even looked at.

Of course, I wrote my own contract for my current school.

KPRROK