Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Saudiman]

My husband worked as a teacher in Yeongwol's rural schools - the villages of NokJeon, Sangdong and Okdong - from November 2006 to November 2007. Midway through that contract, the female co-teacher at NokJeon Middle School accused him of cussing in front of students, something he did not do, and the end result was that his contract did not get renewed six months later. The "supervisor", or county head, did not even inform him of this until days before the contract ended.

Why am I writing now? Because a year ago, he visited Yeongwol and tried to speak to this supervisor, and this 49-year old Korean man's reaction was childish. He told my husband that he had to "do as the Romans do" in Korea and refused to even be civil to him. He also evidently told some awful things about him to the Gangwon Provincial Office in Chuncheon, who then tried to have him fired from a subsequent position he got in Daegu. He failed, thank God!

As long as Supervisor Choi is in power in Yeongwol-gun, I suggest people steer clear of this area. He has demonstrated his immaturity, his inability to compromise, and his propensity to lie and gossip about Western teachers.

Yeongwol is best avoided!

[schwa]

I vaguely recall that situation. There were, of course, two sides to the story.

The passage of three or four years for a public school means little remains just the same. Yeongwol is a cool little town if you're open to a rural teaching stint.

[cert43]

Choi? That is a Kyopo name

He's not Korean...

[lowpo]

[Steve_Rogers2008]

axes to grind.... the vengeance factor is great in this one!


but does this count as a helicopter wife?

[Junior]

There is often some ego-driven confucian dinosaur on hand to spoil the party. Usually they feel threatened by foreign males who do not automatically bow down to them and they manufacture some reason to sabotage them.
Ah..Korea..the land where the oldest male is king without having to have any credentials to be so.

[Saudiman]

No, he's not after revenge of any sort. He just wanted people coming in to be aware of this supervisor's policies. Frankly, I do agree. Finally steered him away from Korea. I write because we both teach ESL, but Drew doesn't come on this board anymore.

lowpo, if your name begins with a K, Drew has often spoken of you as a great teacher. Keep it going!