Korean Job Discussion Forums

Sunshine73 · Joined: 10 Dec 2012

I read in a few posts that there was a free help service for legal advice and such... [email protected]

I am currently trying to get a Letter of Release from my previous employer. They are refusing. The labor board says they can't help me, even though I quit because my employer wasn't going to uphold their end of the contract.

I have attempted to email for help at the above address but the email came back 'permanently undeliverable'. Does anyone know if there is a more up-to-date email address?

Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers.

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

Sadly, the employer does not have to issue a letter of release to you. That ridiculuous letter of release requirement can be, if I'm not mistaken, avoided simply by leaving the country, turning in your ARC on the way out, and returning for new employment. You'll need to get a new set of documents, though, to apply for a new job.

Sunshine73 · Joined: 10 Dec 2012

Unfortunately, that is not the case. My recruiter thought the same. I went to Japan and re-entered as a visitor. My new Visa application was denied because I DO require the letter. I'm losing hope with every step of the way. I thought that 'help email' was my last resort and now it seems to be inactive.

wishfullthinkng · Joined: 05 Mar 2010

calling ttompatz, calling ttompatz!

Sunshine73 · Joined: 10 Dec 2012

YTMND · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Location: You're the man now dog!!

I don't know where the original poster is in the process and what visa you have now, but you could try getting the D10. Explain your situation.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

If, in fact, it was immigration who refused to process a new E2, even if you had canceled your status of sojourn by leaving, handing in your ARC and returning as a tourist (90-day entry stamp) then there is no appeal. China, Taiwan, Thailand or go sit on the beach in the Philippines until your old status of sojourn has expired.

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Sunshine73 · Joined: 10 Dec 2012

That's what I was afraid of. I'm actually here as a 6 month visitor, because I'm Canadian, thankfully.

Can I ask how you are so well versed in this?

YTMND · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Location: You're the man now dog!!

Sunshine73 · Joined: 10 Dec 2012

Absolutely, no doubt in my mind that immigration denied me for this reason. The new employer paid for me to go to Japan to cancel my visa... Now they are out the cash. They wouldn't have done that if they really didn't want me.

The reason we took this route was on poor advice from a recruiter and because the new employer didn't want to wait for me to change to D10 and back to E2. The recruiter said this was the only way to make it work without the letter, because I never had a lot of hope that my previous employer would provide me with one.

CentralCali · Joined: 17 May 2007

YTMND · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Location: You're the man now dog!!

Sunshine73 · Joined: 10 Dec 2012

Thanks. I appreciate your sharing your knowledge. I hope that your advise helps someone else in the future.

From what I understand, it takes a couple weeks to get the D10 issued, and then another 2 - 4 weeks to switch it back to an E2.

I guess the employer and I followed the advice of the recruiter out of desperation. I was just so desperate to leave what was proving to be a very bad situation, and has since proven worse to my friends that I left behind. I'm glad I'm out, just really frustrated that I will now be without work for almost a year.

YTMND · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Location: You're the man now dog!!

Sunshine73 · Joined: 10 Dec 2012

CentralCali: To answer your question, yes, the employer spoke to immigration. That is how I know what the problem was.

YTMND: I don't understand how you think I could be mooching off the system. I do not have any sort of Korean unemployment or social assistance. I am in fact pumping money into the Korean economy and taking nothing out... So that makes no sense what so ever.