Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Grotto]

I have noticed that some of the job posts are starting to do some shady wording..
pay will be around 2.5 a month including bonuses. What bonuses? Year end included with your pay? Housing?

[Real Reality]

Grotto,

I wish I could find official pay scales that show total (or gross monthly or annual) salary for teachers, instructors, and professors. Why aren't the salary scales available and easily accessible online?

Some Information on Salaries

Academic Pay Not Linked to Prestige, Says Salary Study
The annual salary of first-year professors ranged from 17 million won at Cheju National University to 43 million won at Sungkyunkwan University. That wide gap between salaries paid by different universities began to narrow only after 20 years of teaching experience.

The universities that topped the list after Pohang were Yeungnam University (62.7 million won), Sungkyunkwan University (61.7 million won), Korea University (59.5 million won), Hannam University (58.3 million won) and Hoseo University (56.4 million won). The lowest-ranking school paid an average annual salary of 28 million won.
by Kang Min-seok, JoongAng Ilbo (September 23, 2001)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200109/23/200109232313052859900090409041.html

International Comparisons Of Expenditure On Education
Korea stands out as having a long scale reaching a much higher level than that of other countries. The starting salary for primary teachers in Korea is $24,140, marginally behind that for Australia at $25,775. Australia ranks 3rd in the starting salary offered to teachers but Australian teachers reach a relatively modest maximum of $36,175 (ranked 12th) quite early in their careers. Korean teachers, on the other hand, reach $39,921 after 15 years and $66,269 at the top of their scale.
(Unicorn Vol 26, No 2 July 2000)
by Barry McGaw
http://www.austcolled.com.au/pubs.php?id=538

Why aren't the salary scales available online in this broadband, wired country? What about another factor that could influence public display of gross salaries for Koreans and foreigners? Could corruption influence publication? Could corruption influence salaries?

Ex-pats Describe Korea's Culture of Corruption
"Koreans always seem prepared to give out bribes. I was shocked by the culture and attitude of Koreans who feel no guilt despite breaking the law."
by Kim Hong-jin, Chosun Ilbo (December 16, 2004)
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200412/200412160027.html
Appointment of Professors at National Universities Marred by Sweetheart Deals
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=040000&biid=2003071626978
Yonsei Professors Misappropriated Research Funds for Personal Use
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200402/kt2004020918511511990.htm
Professor Fined for Bribery
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200405/kt2004050720524911950.htm
Money Key to Teaching Posts
More than 100 of the respondents said school officials demanded outright bribes from them.... Almost two-thirds said the recruitment process centered on regional or school connections.
by Bae Young-dae, JoongAng Daily (July 9, 2002)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200207/09/200207090054252629900090409041.html
Individual Selfishness Damages Economy
Collective selfishness is all the rage despite the fact that the Korean economy still has a long way to reach its goal. People are more concerned about having their own share of the pie rather than cooperating with each other to help society in a general way.
Donga.com (June 30, 2003)
http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=020000&biid=2003070115228