Korean Job Discussion Forums

suki · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

I've got a tale to tell, nothing but the truth, which I want to share to alert other English teachers here. But first I'd like to know the details behind the anti slander laws here, as I don't want my nightmare to continue if the anti-slander laws penalize those who tell the truth.

Anyone got a good English translation of these?

Thank you...

dorian_gray · Joined: 04 Nov 2009

buildbyflying · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:56 pm Post subject:

Slander only works if you mention the person by name. However I get the feeling mods might intervene if this turns into a blacklist. There are other sites for that as other posters have mentioned (one on FB?).

suki · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

Thank you.

I will research anti-slander laws in the U.S. then - how will state law affect me? The recruiter in question has several offices in several states, one of which is my home state. Does only my home state's laws apply? Or is this entirely Federal?

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

dorian_gray · Joined: 04 Nov 2009

Mithrae · Joined: 22 Jul 2009

My first contract in Korea (back in 1998) said that I could be fired for , among other things, "slander against the Republic of Korea."

In short, my contract said that I could only say nice things about Korea. If I said bad things, I could be fired.

Sparkling.

caribmon · Joined: 26 Oct 2009

In 2005 I was sued in California for commenting on message boards. Talking negatively about companies can cause "S.L.A.P" lawsuits. They dropped the case when they learned I was not an employee of their firm.

suki · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

I didn't mention any particular names, companies, or school district officials. Just thought teachers should be aware of what standing up for your rights entails. I took a plea bargain prior to knowing I would be on these lists which undermines my ability to seek prosecution. (because the friend who had lent me the airfare's business was going under and I didn't feel it fair for him to suffer any longer while I fought) Had I known, I would have fought to the teeth for this, as I believe justice for one serves all of us. I hope the next victim is able to take this to its conclusion.

http://gyopo.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/more-thoughts-about-mojo/

Gnod · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Location: Here

According to the Korean Labor Standards:

suki · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

Do you think my accepting the plea bargain would undermine my case if I took this to the Korean Bar Association?

Gnod · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Location: Here

I haven't seen any real details about your case. Bringing up the recruiter backed blacklist probably won't help you get any money, but it should be a blow to the participants.

That is, unless they grease the wheels to their favor, but with more complaints, the more difficult it would become for them to sweep such a site under the rug.

suki · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

no. I already got the money. It was given on condition that I drop going to the labor board, which I did. Then, afterward and unknown to me, they stick me on these lists...

Gnod · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Location: Here

Then I would just report the lists to the labor boards.

You're not going to the board for whatever reason you first said you would. So I would think that you'd be in the clear.

As a matter of fact, thinking back to the way Korean laws work, you can probably get several million won for libel damages (loss of employment, mental anguish, etc.).

Go to the labor board in person with the links. Show somebody there. I don't know if you can get in to show yourself as being listed on the board. If you can, I'd think you would have a decent case.

You could maybe even find a lawyer willing to take part in something that large.

suki · Joined: 10 Oct 2008

If the person with the link contacts me again, I will most definitely go forward with it to protect all teachers. Nobody should have to go through the gut-wrenching experience I did this week. Nobody.

In the meantime, just the presence of a black list submission form, that the accused can not respond to, should be enough evidence of unethical practices to make everyone steer clear of those recruiters.

Again - I am not doing anything libelous or slanderous by revealing who is on this list, as it is publicly posted on their own organization's website. Nice job. Nice to know they represent our interests.

Member recruiters
http://www.kftra.co.kr/member01.asp?CategoryID=102

The blacklist submission form
http://www.kftra.co.kr/list.asp?idx=3

I have also in my possession an email from my former recruiter outlining the intimate relationship they have with an unnamed school district official and also that they contribute heavily to ATEK.

Basically, the only real representation we have is ourselves on these forums.