Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kprrok]

Just got this yesterday from my supervisor. I'm supposed to fill it out and go to Immigration with her in about 20 minutes. It's in response to the whole Kang Recruiter affair and bogus degree nonsense. I think it's funny and my cow-orker and I got a good laugh when we realised that neither of our schools in the US will ever verify a degree without our written permission. Darned Privacy Laws...

The form asks for...

Personal Details
1. Nationality
2. Full name and Sex
3. Date of Birth
4. Passport Number
5. Date of Entry
6. Place of Work

Educational background of university
1. Name of University
2. Major, name of degree
3. Period of attendance
4. Location of university
5. Contact Information (telephone, fax number)
6. Name of Recruiter, telephone number, address
7. Signature

anyone else get one of these?

KPRROK

[ddeubel]

I got the form and also a letter from our education office. They translated the directive from the immigration office. I have pasted it below.

Don't you also need to take the original of your degree to immigration. I think you do. This is the new demand and we all have until Dec. 31st to comply or else........

Yeah, more red tape.

DD

"effacer l'infame -- wipe out the infamy." Voltaire

Notice
Regarding the Confirmation of the Validity of the Degrees of Native Speaker English Teachers (NSET��s)

As the instances of forged degrees submitted by NSET��s in Korea get frequently exposed at the Seoul Immigration Office, for the necessity of complete inspection, we request that all NSET��s report within the period established by the special ��Reporting Period for the Confirmation of the Validity of Degrees�� as set forth below.
1. Background Regarding the Reporting Period
�� As the Seoul Immigration Office discovered 71 NSET��s who were employed using false degrees in their specially examined results during 9/1/05 – 10/15/05 and as this has become a social problem, it has been decided that the verification procedure of degrees is inadequate, so there is a plan for the complete inspection of degrees.
2. Reporting Period
��Period: 11/1/05 ~ 12/31/05 (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays) 9AM ~ 6PM
��Place: Seoul Immigration Office (3rd floor – Conference Room ����ȸ�ǽǡ�)
��Required Applicants: Professors (E-1), conversation instructors (E-2), and other English instructors who work at schools, institutes, and the like in Korea and have visas. F-4 Visa holders are exempt from reporting.
��Inquiries: 02) 2650 – 6308
��Reporting Procedure: The instructor must bring an original copy of his/her degree. He/she must prepare a ��Degree Validity Confirmation Form�� (Attachment), sign it in the presence of an agent in charge, and submit it.
- A foreigner who has not registered for their residence card must submit their ��Degree Validity Confirmation Form�� at the time of their registration.
2. Reference
�� Regarding those who do not submit their ��Degree Validity Confirmation Form��, there is a plan to provide special handling of their cases, an extensive inspection of the validity of their degrees, and not allow their visa extensions as a general rule.
�� After it is ascertained that a foreigner has a false degree after submitting the said confirmation form, criminal penalties will be enforced as a general rule.
�� We request that you cooperate and understand that the handling of this matter is not done for the purpose of giving inconvenience to NSET��s or their employers, but for the assurance of proper education.

[rok_the-boat]

I never got one of those sent to me. I'm F2-1.

And what about that reference to F4s - are they allowed to work without qualifications?

[kprrok]

I just got back and it was a breeze. We handed the form to the officer working there, he found our file, stapled it inside the front cover, and we were done. I didn't need my original degree, just my ARC.

KPRROK

[rok_the-boat]

[Metsuke]

This is bullshit...

So what happens if we refuse to go?

[kprrok]

[Zark]

Isn't this all stuff they have already?!

Play along . . .

[ddeubel]

Quote:

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 10:05 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I just got back and it was a breeze. We handed the form to the officer working there, he found our file, stapled it inside the front cover, and we were done. I didn't need my original degree, just my ARC. KPRROK

I find it strange and disconcerting that a government office/ministry would write an official letter stating one thing (must bring an original copy of the diploma) and then accept another thing (no original or copy) from the OP.

I guess that is the wonderful world of bureaucracy........just SEEM to be doing something but then let all things pass like water under the bridge...

Still disconcerting. I was told directly -- the new demand is ALL to bring / report with the originals of their degree. Tomorrow I'll call and see if this is really the case.

Who knows?

DD

[fidel]

[Red]

I haven't gotten one. Must just you boys in Seoul/ Kyeonggi.

[lastat06513]

I didn't get one either and I just called about another 8 people (professor peers) and they never even heard of this "degree confirmation registration". Also, one of my ex-students who works for immigrations (in Mok-dong) has no news about it.

But then again....its only the beginning of November.

But, it is better to be safe than sorry, so....

If possible, please post (scan) the actual letter for us to see, so that if we are tendered something, we know what it is.

[Sofa_King]

Does anyone know if you need your passport when you go to immigration to verify your degree?

[Hollywoodaction]

What really gets to me is that they screwed up, but we are the ones who are made to suffer. Guilty until proven innocent. Then again, I can't say I'm surprised. The Korean government holds the largest share of the blame for the increasing level of xenopho...err...nationalism in this country.

[Sofa_King]

Truthfully, I don't mind doing this. I hope that after this process is complete, the Korean government, media and general attitude will be more positive towards wagooks. I hope that by screening all the foreigners here, some reporting comes out that explains that all foreigners here have been screened and are legitimate. In addition, I hope that all the remaining illegals are caught and shipped out of here. Then, perhaps the negative spotlight will turn to a new group, like Japan or the US forces (the old standbys in Korea).

In addition to this, the Korean government should set up better checks at the beginning (before foreigners come into the country) that will bring in only legal teachers and reduce the amount of illegals. Also by setting up a more rigorous screening process, the negative attitude towards English teachers will be reduced and we won't all be seen as unqualified frauds that fooled the government to get into this country.

Finally, this better happen only once. I do not mind doing this, but it would be quite ridiculous if this happened year after year. Check us all now, set up a better screening process to eliminate the illegals at the beginning and ensure all Koreans that the teachers that are here (and will be here in the future) are legit.