Korean Job Discussion Forums

[martinpil]

Does the 900k won security deposit you are required to pay come out of your first month's salary or do you actually need to pay it upfront from your own savings?

[toadhjo]

I don't see this in my contract...maybe mine doesn't have it?

What article/section number is it?

[Tux]

[espoir]

[ekul]

It's definitely in the contract. 300k for the first three months. Everyone I know with GEPIK has to pay the deposit.

[sugarkane59]

Paying a security deposit in order to rent a flat/house is standard in most countries. When people moan about it, it makes it obvious that they've not moved out of their ma or pa's house yet - or they are just really stingy! Landlords have a right to protect themselves too.

[Straphanger]

I have never put forth a deposit to work a job, ever. Why do you people do it? If someone told me "Yes, we'll get you this job if you pay this close to a grand deposit." I would say "What? A *deposit*...what? For what?

I have never in my career paid for:

Recruiting fees
Airfare
Apartment deposits
Nothing.

Nothing.

Nothing.

What kind of scam are these people trying to pull on you!?

[Straphanger]

[Kimchieluver]

[yingwenlaoshi]

Nothing safe in Korea. If you quit, they'd probably try to keep it. I think I've even heard of EPIK or GEPIK or whatever the hell schools trying to keep it if you quit...

[martinpil]

[fusionbarnone]

That's BS. Who wants this deposit, your K-recruiter I bet??? Go to EPIK's site yourself and view sample contracts. No such demand exists.

Also, why even use recruiters. Check out these sites and contact them yourself.

[blonde researcher]

The security deposit is taken in case you run away or damage your apartment. It used to be called a housing deposit in the old days.

Deposits such as this have been common in Hagwons for many a year. ECC have always taken 600 000 won over 3 months.
Seoul public schools, SMOE, always takes a deposit and Gyeonggi Province, GEPIK always takes the 900 000 deposit over 3 months from your salary.

EPIK is not a unified government organization as such (it is a program!)
This means that the offices of education of individual cities and provinces employing the public school teachers can take a deposit if they so desire. you are employed by the individual office NOT by EPIK

Busan city were taking a 500 000 deposit a short time ago for public school teachers.

Nothing is written on the EPIK website as this is just a recruitment site for most of the provinces and cities. Some provinces such as Jeollam - JEPIK are doing their own recruiting direct, not through the EPIK organization in Seoul. In this respect as long as you sign you accept the deposit for going there, it is a legal contract.

Remember if you dont leave early or damage your apartment, you get the deposit back at the end of 12 months.

[ekul]

You should receive your deposit back in any circumstance keeping in mind you don't leave any unpaid bills or damage anything in the Apartment. According to the contract it doesn't have anything to do with your flights. Yet seeing as you're liable to pay for the flights if you quit before six months it might as well be.

Under the GEPIK contract.

[smajk710]

I�ve been reading this post for some years and I always read about people complaining about something. I've had some bad experiences and some good experiences, but I've never complained nor badmouth anyone. This is my 4th year and 3rd contract. The deposit is for the apartment. It will be returned at the end of your contract and if your lucky they will return 600,000 won at the 6 month mark, the rest at the end of your contract. If you take care of the apartment you will get your money back. If you live in the U.S. and rent, you�ll need to give at least 2 months security deposit. So stop complaining.