Korean Job Discussion Forums

deshell32 · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

I leave on Tuesday. My director said she will give me my entire last month's check in cash on Monday because I had previously told her that I wanted my remaining pay in cash (instead of deposit) due to the Chohung Bank strike (which of course has ended). Here is my problem: This past Friday, when she returned my deposit for the apartment to me (which was a total of 400,000 Won) she gave me 300,000 in Won and the remainder was in the form of a "supyo" (which is similar to a money order or check). I previously thought they were the same as money orders until I went to the bank and they told me that I would have to wait one day to receive the cash equivalent of the supyo so that they knew the funds were available. So now I think you realize my problem. I am afraid that she is going to give me a bunch of these "checks" or "money orders" which I won't receive until Monday evening, which is of course a problem since my plane leaves Korea on Tuesday early in the afternoon, it would therefore be impossible to wait 24 hours to confirm that the funds were available before receiving the cash. Any advice on the best way to deal with my director and this problem would be greatly appreciated. If worse comes to worse and I end up back in the U.S. with these "supyos" are there any Foreign Exchange Banks in the U.S. (preferably the Los Angeles area) where I could exchange these "checks" or "money orders" for cash. Thanks for any advice. When I leave I don't want to have to look back if you know what I mean. I want to simply focus on the future with Korea being out of sight and out of mind.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

If they're the same pieces of paper that I get paid in, you need'nt worry.
You can cash them in shops, department stores, pay them into your account, or even change them at the airport on your way out.
If they're not the same pieces of paper I'm thinking of , you may have a problem. Can't you change your flight date to a little later?

deshell32 · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Like I said, I tried to cash them at a bank, and they said I would have to wait a day before they could give me the cash so they could verify that the funds were available.

Hagwon Muppet · Joined: 18 Mar 2003

I've used these things before but I've always used them like cash. Just hand them over in stores - sign your name, show your ID and Bob's your mother's brother.

Don't know why the bank were funny about it but maybe banks have a different system for dealing with them.

Take them to a 7-11, buy a packet of gum and hand it over! Smile

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

I've taken the su-pyo and immediately turned them into traveler's checks. I've never had a bank ask me to wait to see if there are funds and I've been here 2 years. Just go to a different bank. You can go to any bank and exchange money, so on Monday, take your passport and exhange it all.

Skippy · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon

With these 100,000 won checks, I have dealt very little. I never used one in a store. But take them to the bank and they should cash right away. Let me rephrase that you should take the check to the bank on the check. I tried cashing one and it took me about 30 minutes to find the right bank to take it. The bank may want you ARC or your passport but that is it.

Skippy