Korean Job Discussion Forums

DannyOKC · Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Location: Busan

Hello all!

I will be coming to Busan in February or thereabouts, and I can't seem to find any info on whether or not I'll be able to use my same cell phone there, or if I'll have to get a different one. Any info?

Also, I was wondering (fingers crossed) if South Korea has NetFlix.

And lastly, I'm an avid reader of radical literature, including books with the words "anarchy," "revolution," and "radical" in the title. I plan on packing some in a suitcase. Any chance of me getting in trouble for this?

Thanks.

-DannyOKC

europe2seoul · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Location: Seoul, Korea

merkurix · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Location: Not far from the deep end.

As far as I know, everything should be fine. About your cell phone, is it a Korean cell phone? If it is, that should be okay if you are on a fixed monthly plan with companies like LG Telecom, KTF, etc. (if you have a pay-as-you-go type of a phone, I am not sure how to help you on that one). Since most Korean cell phone prefixes begin with 010, 019, 016 etc, it will still be good anywhere in Korea. But if you are talking about your home country's Nokia, forget about it.

Netflix I think may be North American based, but if you want DVDs renting is ultra cheap, and even better still (and if your personal ethics allow it), you can buy bootlegged DVDs at any open market.

I don't think you should worry about literature unless the anarchical literature has, say, bomb-making instructions. I've also read somewhere that hardcore pornographic literature is also illegal. Maybe others here might have additional information about these things. But I don't think you should worry too much.

I-am-me · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Location: Hermit Kingdom

jaderedux · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Lurking outside Seoul

This is South Korea not North Korea. I brought books on Mao and was carrying a bio of Che' and by the way his image is quite popular kind of sad acutally. Che' next to Stone Cold and the Undertaker....

I seriously wonder about people who ask such questions. This is a democracy more or less and as long as you don't carry in mounds of kiddy porn you should be all right.

Research...try the internet it is really cool.

Jade

DannyOKC · Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Location: Busan

Wow, this is the first time I've come across two really rude people. For the first person, I did try the search function. I found tons of info, none of it relating to what I was searching for.

For the last person, democracy or not, my worry is legitimate. Most people relate those types of books with terrorists and I being denied access to the country is something I don't want.

I have researched. There isn't a Web site detailing what constitutes contraband in South Korea.

Asking on here was the best form of research anyway, since you people have experience with some of this stuff.

People come here looking for info. Why must you guys be such assholes when they ask for it?

-DannyOKC

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

OP: If you "get your knickers in a knot" about the things posted here, you may want to re-think coming to Korea! You're going to have to deal with a LOT more difficult things than people calling you a moron for not using the search function (which sucks, btw!)

That said, the only thing that I can answer for sure is about the cellphone (handphone here!). You WON'T be able to use it here. Korean phones dont have SIM cards that you can change. You've got to have the Korean system!!

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

There's no such thing anymore as illegal books but it could change at the next election which is soon. In the '70s and '80s you could be thrown in prison for reading the wrong book, but these days it's not a big deal. But watch out and keep an eye on the next election.

stevenisi · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

It's an internet forum. Rudeness is a given..

Just one question.. not to sound Big Brother.. and just out of curiosity.. why are you reading that type of literature.. for kicks?

And you are from Oklahoma City?

Hm..

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

There's nothing wrong with reading any kind of literature, unless it is by Ann Coultier.

kotakji · Joined: 23 Oct 2006

This might have changed, but up until recently any materials dealing with Juche sasang (North Korean philosophy) were banned as well as any discussion of them. In reality, these days its unlikely big brothers going to come down on you, but being a foreigner its better to keep a low profile.

Cerebroden · Joined: 27 Dec 2006

poet13 · Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 4:24 pm Post subject:

This may be a democracy, but bringing in porn is still illegal isn't it? The OPs questions were mostly valid, though going to to netflicks website would have answered that one.
The cell phone system here is annoying. I hvae a perfectly good tri-band (SIM card system), that works all over the world (No, not every country, but the dozen or so I have visited since I got it) EXCEPT Korea.

Anarchy, revolution, radical. I could see them getting twisted about it. It's not that theyunderstand the book, it's that someone may understand only the word and get alarmed. That being said, the chances that someone will search your bag is very slim. Slimmer still, as the other poster said, that someone will understand it. I got all kinds of grief for carrying, "The Art of War" through American customs once. "Uh, well you see officer, using the tactics outlined in this book, I'm going to single handedly take and hold Alabama." Good grief.