Korean Job Discussion Forums

mai · Joined: 12 Jun 2009

Hi everyone,

My friend was born in Korea and adopted in the U.S.

He's thinking of deferring a year of medical school to teach in Korea with me. Unfortunately, my recruiter said his chances will be hurt because he has Korean-looks.

I'm not sure how common this type of prejudice is but it really bothers me. I think he's referred to as a "Gyopo."

Are there any schools in Seoul that could hire my friend?

Thanks in advance!!

Theo · Joined: 04 Jul 2009

The horrible hagwon I worked for a year ago hired plenty of gyopos -- about 40% of the FT staff were gyopo -- but they treated them just badly as they did the non-gyopo FTs.

Students are less patient with gyopo teachers as well (from what I learned from my gyopo colleagues), and the complaints I would hear from students.

I taught ESL in mainland China for five years, prior to going to Korea. I much preferred China to Korea, but Chinese students and parents absolutely refuse ESL education from anyone with an Asian face. Self-discriminatory, and a very ignorant waste of a potentially wonderful learning opportunity.

Therefore, I was heartened to see so many gyopo teachers at my hagwon in Korea, but just like the non-gyopo FTs, they were quite unhappy there and always looking to get out.

andrewchon · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 9:30 pm Post subject:

Was that place called CDI?

mai
Gyopos are very low down on Korean consumer demand. Coming from USA is good. Did he attend a well known (to Koreans) college? His best shot would be PS hour away from Seoul. Paju, Pocheun, places like that. I'd worry more about doing something to make sure he doesn't get drafted into Korean Army as soon as he lands at Incheun International. Yes, adopted in USA and USA citizenship and all but that don't stop the army drafting him.

Theo · Joined: 04 Jul 2009

andrewchon is right and raises a very important issue!

A fair number of my male gyopo colleagues in Seoul were required to do military service after coming to Korea. As I understand it, if your friend's name (family) is in the official "book" in Korea -- in other words, if in the eyes of Korea he is still a citizen of ROK (there is no dual citizenship in Korea), then he will be expected/required to serve (16 months to two years, I think).

He MUST clarify this staus BEFORE going to Korea.

mai · Joined: 12 Jun 2009

Drafted?!

For what it's worth, he recieved his undergrad at Tufts University and he's thinking of deferring a year of Harvard Med School to teach in Korea.

His adopted name is very American; not sure if that helps or not. By the way andrew, it wasn't CDI. I've heard some bad things about that place Very Happy

I can't imagine him getting drafted but then again I wouldn't know where to look to find that kind of information... Any ideas?

j20kim · Joined: 08 May 2009

mai--

just wanted to share my experience. i am a gyopo, and found employment for september 2009 through gepik a few days after submitting my application/resume to my recruiter. i'm very happy with the location. the school where i will be teaching has employed gyopos for 2 of the 3 years that they've employed full time english teachers. i will be the third gyopo (in a row) working at the school. from what i understand, some (few?) schools actually prefer gyopos. others, i'm sure, may (likely) not be interested due to his race/ethnicity. good luck.

andrewchon · Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 2:18 pm Post subject:

The information is available on the web. Google search 'F4 visa' and goto the Korean Consulate site, then onto F-4 visa. In general, draft doesn't apply if you are over 35, but with USA citizens there's a bit more rules.
It's just a matter of filling out some forms renouncing your Korean citizenship and providing proof whether the person or person's parents are/were Korean citizen. It's not hard. Problem is that many gyopo (I don't think it's a derogatory term) don't know about that or their draft status, come to Korea and hey presto! press-ganged without the King's shilling.
Adoptees are tricky. He may not know his original name or biological parents. As Theo said if he was listed in his family register then he's still a citizen of ROK. Adoption does not erase that. Army may or may not be able to trace his personal history. They may not even care. Draft dodging by sons of the rich is a very serious issue in Korea. So is the threat of invasion by PROK. The war finished with cease-fire agreement and not a peace treaty: Korea is technically still at war. Any able bodied young men of Korea not willing to fight and defend the country is a SUBVERSIVE ELEMENT and a threat to NATIONAL SECURITY. Idiotsy is no excuse. Hence the need for your friend to be aware his draft status in ROK.

As j20kim has done (congrats!) Public schools of Gyunggi province do take on gyopo. Paju, Pocheun are in Gyunggi-Do. What I say on the web is only generic advises. Miracles do happen if you persist. Rock On! (Sorry another bad pun)

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

There are plenty of gyopos here working for schools like CDI, Poly, YES, public schools, universities. It might have been true that Koreans discriminated against gyopos in the past, but Koreans are beginning to realize that looking like a typical western teacher (Caucasian) doesn't always translate into them being good teachers.

Also, the term 'gyopo' is a relative term in Korea. Lots of Koreans who spend just a few years in the west consider themselves "gyopos" for the sake of getting a teaching job here. These are the unqualified people that drag down the opportunities of real gyopos who were born or immigrated to west at a very early age.

andrewchon · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:20 pm Post subject:

That's right. There are two types:
1. Born overseas of Korean Parents
2. Born in Korea then immigrated.

The latter have to have matriculated in middle and high school in the 7 nations to teach with F-4 visa.

E_athlete · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Location: Korea sparkling

T-dot · Joined: 16 May 2004 Location: bundang

2 kinds of so called gyopos.

1 overseas korean (not a real gyopo)

May have the degree, but was not fully raised or educated in America/Canada etc.. They might even still carry a touch of a Korean accent.

2. Gyopo (ee say)

Born and bred overseas.

Gypos can make a ton of money, this isnt 5 years ago where Gyopos were often overlooked or even frowned upon.

Youll still get the odd Korean person or foreigner amazed at your speaking ability though.

If your friend is from a good school, good stats and isnt ugly; he can make a hella lot more money than someone on an E-2.

E_athlete · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Location: Korea sparkling

T-dot · Joined: 16 May 2004 Location: bundang

mai · Joined: 12 Jun 2009

mai · Joined: 12 Jun 2009

And thanks for the info everyone!

I wish I had asked this question a few months ago. If my friend was 100% set on going to Korea I'm sure he would have secured something months ago, but I only recently accepted an offer to teach there, and a good part of the reason he wanted to go was because I'd be there.

He's decided to start med school next month, but hopefully this thread can help others in the future.