Korean Job Discussion Forums

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Years ago it became apparent to me that if I got smacked by a bus or a rampaging taxi, none of my friends here in Korea would ever know. They could only conclude that I had disappeared. Maybe kidnapped and forced to marry a Japanese kidnap victim in North Korea while teaching English to NORK secret agents.

There have been a couple of threads about suicides/potential suicides in the last couple of days. (Sympathy to the families/friends.)

My point is, do you carry a note on your person that tells how to contact and inform your Korean/way-gookin friends that you are deceased/permanently incapacitated and how to tell them? Nothing is ever published in newspapers. If you were layed up in a hospital in a coma for a few months, or worse, how would anyone you care about here in Korea ever know?

ChopChaeJoe · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Location: Seoul

It's probably not a bad idea to get your passport and social security number tatooed somewhere on your body.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

You could always register with your embassy. Even if you didn't, you don't think the Korean authorities would find an ID on you? People would know unless you have cut off contact with the rest of the world.

Lizara · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Location: Seoul

When accidents happen in Canada, the newspapers always talk about the police notifying relatives when they report these stories. I don't imagine the Korean authorities really want a dead waygookin hanging around, so I assume they'd do the same. It's not really that difficult for anyone with contacts to track down my permanent address (aka Mom and Dad's) and phone number in Canada.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Ummm...I wasn't talking about your family. Of course the embassy would contact your family, before the box arrived. I was talking about any friends you have made in Korea.

Maybe this isn't an issue for those of you who just blew in for a year, but I've lived in 4 cities. I have friends in those places. If I get mashed by a bus, how will they know? As far as they know, I just stopped sending e-mails and answering my phone.

It isn't like the Korea Herald runs an obituary column for us waygookins.

Lizara · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Location: Seoul

Anyone who's a close friend is going to check in if they haven't heard from me in a while, and I hope they'd eventually get worried enough to contact my parents... which, well, my online life isn't that secretive, so anyone who knows me well could easily get in touch. Anyone who's not worried enough to do that... either one of my closer friends would tell them, or I guess they just wouldn't know. Or probably care all that much. "What happened to that weird goth chick that used to hang around here sometimes?" "Uh... I dunno." "Hm. Weird." R.I.P. Lizara.

The Bobster · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

And this brings up the question: Do you have a will in Korea? If you have a pension, will it go to the people you WANT it to go to, or will it just be lost in the Korean banking system? I'm trying to organize a lawyer to come to our school (in March, we'll have 42 teachers) to do wills for those who want/need them.

As for my friends, I have quite a few friends here, and I'm PRETTY sure that they'll let my other friends know what happened to me...but what about people you've become friends with (former teachers, etc.)?? Who will let THEM know??

Hmmm...guess I've posed more questions than answers!! Rolling Eyes

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

Let's look at this logically.

I get hurt so badly that I'm unable to contact anybody. Given that, what the *beep* do I care if anyone knows about where I am or what happened to me? I'm apparently not even conscious. That's like worrying about who shows up to your funeral. You won't care, my friend!

Priority 1: Survival.

Priority 2: Uphold Priority 1.

End of lesson

poet13 · Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:21 pm Post subject:

That's why I drink. I'm mourning all those posters I have seen for so long, may they rest in peace.

Yesterday · Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:27 pm Post subject:

Ginormousaurus · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Location: 700 Ft. Pulpit

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

Dan The Chainsawman · Joined: 05 May 2005

Hey.. speaking of suicide...

Anyone wanna play a game of dodge the Nork Artillery Shells?

kimchi_pizza · Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:45 pm Post subject:

I tape my blood-type to my Air Nikes and ten years outta the service I still wear my ID tags.

Ya-ta, c'mon man...."If you offed yourself...."? I like your posts but this?
I can't make anything of it if you're sincere or not and the title doesn't match the topic of informing others if you're killed "by rampaging taxis" or injured. The topic is a good and an informative/interesting one, but it's kinda being made out as a joke.

With that suicide thread still going, show a little respect/discretion.

Seriously, I registered with my Embassy and I keep school business cards in my wallet and my supervisors work/phone # programmed in my phone. All anyone would haveta do is open one or the other.