Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Scaggs]

So I am supposed to be on my way over in a couple of weeks, just checking if there is any "word on the street"? I know it is a bad idea to ask for individual opinions for a general feel, but just trying to tap all my sources. I had just kind of been shrugging this off ... but the combination of escalation in political tension and my approaching departure makes me a lil nervous.

[Kuros]

You should be more worried about your recruiter's words than the Current Events, and your hagwon's promises than anything else. The rest is just background noise that you use to let off steam...

[Junior]

Come in a tin foil suit.

Radiation spreads quickly over a wide area. North koreans couldn't conduct a pi*s up in a brewery, never mind a safe nuclear test.

[On the other hand]

[On the other hand]

Scraggs:

Since you asked though, I will say that the most impact that Korean politics is likely to have on your life is if you express "incorrect" opinions to a Korean who is not quite prepared to hear them from a foreigner. Here is the list I usually give to newbies who ask, of things to avoid discussing with a Korean unless you know him quite well...

1. 1910-1945

2. Anything positive about the USFK.

3. Anything negative about North Korea. Even if the person you're talking to is anti-Nork, they might not appreciate criticism coming from "outside the family", so to speak.

4. Devils advocate defenses of the military dictators("well, ya gotta admit, Park did a lot for the economy") are probably a bad idea.

Numbers 2, 3, and 4 might be most applicable in South Jeolla Province and(from what I've heard) in Seoul. I'm not sure how people in the more conservative areas regard the US, the Norks, and the dictators.

And in general, it's a good idea to wait for a Korean to discuss negative aspects of Korean life before you dive in with your opinions on them.

Which part of Korea are you coming to?

[Scaggs]

Thanks for imput. I really feel like usually I can comfort myself with "Its more dangerous to drive to the airport," nothings-gonna-happen kind of logic, but things certainly seem a little prickly at the moment. My sister lives in Jerusalem and she doesn't worry about getting blown up. My mother is far to nice to be driving her children to the world's hotspots!

OTHO,
I am headed into Seoul on the 18th. As per forum advice, I am avoiding the recruiters and coming to Seoul and looking for work once I am there. I think I'd like to be in Seoul, but I am trying to consciously keep myself open to everything.

[On the other hand]