Korean Job Discussion Forums

[crewmember80]

Hi,

I've been on this site for awhile and great to see so much participation. Let me explain to you my situation. I am a korean American working for an American tier 1 automotive company. They are planning on sending me to Korea for atleast three months. The office will be located in Kangnam Samsungdong area. My question is for those of you that relocated for non esl teaching jobs. What kind of relocation package did you receive (such as salary increase for both position change and cost of living, bonus, expenses). Also, what about housing expenses? My company is putting together a package for me now, but it will be the company's first office in korea. We have offices all over the world, but as you probably know, Korea is little different from other countries.

Your input will be appreciate it, and even if you're a esl teacher and have some knowledge, it would be appreciate it.

Thanks

[kangnam mafioso]

Dear Sir:

As an English teacher, let me first correct your grammar/usage.

"Your input will be appreciate it, and even if you're a esl teacher and have some knowledge, it would be appreciate it."

Let's look at this construction. Two exact mistakes makes me believe that it isn't a common typo. Solution: Change to "Your input will be appreciated ... it would be appreciated."

Per your question, I have no idea how much corporations should pay business execs/managers to relocate to Seoul. The standard for ESL teachers is roundtrip airfare (economy class), semi-furnished studio apartment, and airport pick-up. Since the apartments are already furnished, most teachers only arrive with 2-3 suitcases of stuff. Some teachers negotiate extra shipping allowances, relocation bonuses (usually $500 and under) and paycheck advances into their contracts. Projected earnings for newly minted ESL teachers is 2-2.5 million Korean Won per month ($1933 +). Severence and pension schemes are additional benefits that teachers receive at the conclusion of their contracts and/or repatriation.

[SuperHero]

Ignore the grammar police - he's just got a big stick up his arse and it hurts so he wants to take it out on others.

I've known several expats with relocation packages to Korea. Generally they get a car (sometimes a driver), nice home (40+ pyoung), and a overseas living allowance (us$1,000+) everymonth to compensate for living overseas.

The above are only what I know of and of course things would vary from company to company.

[hypnotist]

My housing is paid for (I've got a 2 bed flat in an officetel which is, to be honest, too big for me), and I get an unreceipted expenses allowance (albeit in GBP, so it's worth less now than when I arrived!) and regular flights home.

[hypnotist]

[Wangja]

I can't speak for US companies (or British although I'm a Brit) but European companies, specifically French, give a deal along these lines:-

* Local salary in KRW - around 2.7 million
* Local housing paid, budget around 3.5 million, depending whether single, married ro family status
* Car, fully expensed
* School fees at French school (employee pays extra for other schools)
* Return home flights - one a year (self and family)
* Local holiday flights - one a year (self and family) up to 500,000 KRW each
* Health inusrance

Edit: 25 working days holiday (5 weeks) a year

Those items are the same for all employees.

In addition, and the most important part, the offshore salary. This depends on seniority, experience, abilty etc. For a senior manager, around 40 years, estimate about 80-100,000 USD.

HTH

[Swiss James]

In my company the deal is:

* 50% on top of whatever you were earning back home
* Daily allowance which is supposed to cover things like phone calls home, laundry, things you're paying for back home and can't use (car, gym etc.) approx 80 USD per day
* receipted expense account for housing, food, (work-related) transport and some drinks
* 2 long-haul flights (i.e. home) per year, two short haul flights (e.g. Japan, Hong-Kong...) per year
* constant questions about whether you've married a Korean yet

[billybrobby]

(puts head in hands and weeps)

[billybrobby]

but it can't buy you happiness, now can it?? i've still got my health and i wouldn't trade that for all the money in....oh hell, *beep* you moneybags!

[Swiss James]

..oh and a partridge in a pear tree.

[billybrobby]

Hey! Those of us who work at Korean companies get stuff too! Maybe it's not the same stuff, but our stuff is pretty good. Check out what we get. It's a list of luxuries so generous, so opulent, so extravagant that they would make the Queen of England crap herself.

In my company the deal is:

1. Two piping hot rice balls a day
2. Free company coffee cup and windbreaker
3. Satisfaction in knowing that you are not some fancy-pants database programmer who thinks he's some kind of hot shot just because he works in crummy Incheon airport with his stupid blog, raking in his big piles of money like the Sultan of Brunai with his stupid hat and his pointy shoes and his 500 elephants like he's sooo great but he's not, he's just big fat butthead.
4. Dental plan

[gotte00]

crewmember- i'm also from detroit, but i've been here as a teacher. i do have a friend who works for nissan here and he's originally from detroit. if you'd like to get in touch upon your arrival, feel free.

dave
[email protected]

[crewmember80]

Everyone,

Thank you for all your replies. It's been very helpful. My title will most likely be global program engineer working with both GMDAt and Hyundai. I'll let everyone know as soon as I hear back from my company.

I will be out of commission due to nose surgery. And its not plastic surgery, its for deviate septum.

[Hater Depot]