Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ladymisspeas]

I'll be starting a teaching job in Korea in September, and I'm wondering if anybody knows if it's possible to hold down a teaching job while operating a network marketing business on the side (legally)?

I've checked several Korean websites, and haven't really found an answer...perhaps a special type of VISA is necessary?

Any info would be much appreciated!

[Dr. Buck]

You mean network marketing as in a pyramid scheme/MLM-multi-level marketing? That kind of business?
If I were I'd just do it on the side and not mind the powers that be. You could even sell the junk to your students and then have them recruit other members and so on.
The Koreans are into MLM schemes hardcore, I think mostly because of the "who you know" culture makes this a breeding ground for that kind of biz.

[ladymisspeas]

It's a network marketing company (a legitamately traded company on the NASDEQ), and not a pyramid scheme. So I think that it might be difficult to conduct the business under the table.....

[Son Deureo!]

What exactly is the difference between "network marketing" and MLM/pyramid schemes anyway, hmmm? I can only guess how successful you have been at this business so far, but if you were making as much money as you're probably telling the people in your "downline" you're making, I doubt you'd be considering moving to South Korea to teach English. Unless you've made it to the top and you want to hide from the FTC, that is.

To answer your original question, E2 visas and most hogwon contracts have pretty strict provisions against doing any kind of work outside of your contract. As a "network marketer", you may be working as an "independent contractor" instead of as an employee, but then again so were all of the teachers who got bounced out of Korea for teaching privates on the side. You probably won't get caught doing either one, but legally it's doubtful you would have a leg to stand on.

Also, if your first few months in Korea are anything like mine and those of most people here you will probably be more concerned with figuring out how to get food you consider edible, find the bathroom without doing a very embarrassing interpretive dance, and how to keep six-year-olds from sticking their fingers in your rear end. I'm not sure how you plan on explaining your pitch through the language barrier, but I suspect that your pool of potential prospects (as in people who can even understand you) would be pretty small.

On the other hand, if you have gotten yourself into trouble back home by putting yourself into debt and poisoning relationships with your family and friends with "network marketing", a stint in Korea teaching ESL might be just the thing to remove yourself from that unpleasant situation, and make enough money to pay off your debts. A lot of teachers here are running away from much worse things. It's worked for a lot of them, it just might work for you, too.

Best of luck to you, whatever you decide to do.