Korean Job Discussion Forums

df1983 · Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Location: Pyongtaek, Korea

OK, does anyone know if it is possible to come back to Korea after having pulled a midnight run?

I have heard that if you pull a runner you can come back after your visa expires. I have also heard you are banned for five years. Which is true?

Also, if I got another job would my new employer know if I had worked in Korea before? I have already left Korea and pulled the run... It was necessary and not easy.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 5:59 am Post subject:

Depends if your visa was cancelled or has expired.

Depends if your former employer officially complained and filed that you stole money (unpaid bills, airfare...) which is highly doubtful

I could be wrong but the 5-year ban would be for someone who got deported.

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

df1983 · Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Location: Pyongtaek, Korea

No I purposefully cleaned my apartment and went to great lengths to make sure that there was plenty of money left to pay for my airfare and outstanding bills. I left 1/2 a months paycheck and pension money behind. I made sure anything that was the schools was returned to avoid that very scenario. Thanks for the info.

the ireland · Joined: 11 May 2008 Location: korea

frankly speaking · Joined: 23 Oct 2005

If you don't put it down on your resume, or tell your future school that you worked in Korea, they will not know. It is not like they can call up immigration and ask to see your work history Immigration has more important things to do.

You might not be able to get a public school job because they often look more closely, but most hagwon positions won't ever do any kind of background check on you at all.

Just don't make a habit of pulling a runner on your next position. Stick it out and if you need to quit do it professionally.

kingasiatic88 · Joined: 02 Aug 2009

wouldn't a new employer see your old visa while looking at your passport?

maybe it would be a good idea to renew your passport so you would not have any awkward moments...

and what about when they applied for insurance, pension etc? there would be a record that you had worked in korea before, no?

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

kingasiatic88 · Joined: 02 Aug 2009

so basically there is no way for them to know...very interesting

i thought i read somewhere that when you first show up usually your hagwon will take your passport and diploma for about a week or two so that they can sign you up for all that stuff...thats when I thought they might see your old visa...anyway, guess i was mistaken

further, if you come back after the original visa expires all is forgotten in regarding the money your hagwon spent to bring you here etc.?

World Traveler · Joined: 29 May 2009

ABC KID · Joined: 14 Sep 2007

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

ABC KID · Joined: 14 Sep 2007

df1983 · Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Location: Pyongtaek, Korea

The reason I would give Korea another go is that I loved Korea and I liked the pay that it offered. The reasons that I left Korea were strictly because of the hagwon that I was working in. It was hellish and I wasn't the only one who was considering leaving. I could go on for hours about the specifics but long story short I like Korea a lot and would give it another go. I did move on to another country but I liked Korea more. I think I would go for either a public school job next time.... if I was to go to another hagwon there would have to be many things outlined specifically in the contract that were very vague in my old contract that ended up working against me.... Not that a contract means much in Korea but still.