Korean Job Discussion Forums

[The Dae Lim Kid]

An article from the Korea Herald,

http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2006/12/16/200612160029.asp

A Busan Regional Police spokesperson yesterday confirmed that 15 English teachers are being investigated for violating their employment visas, staging an unlawful public performance, unlicensed alcohol sales and drug use.

Busan police on Monday launched a weeklong crackdown on Babo-palooza! - a comedy show staged by English teachers - with organizers and performers brought in for questioning at police headquarters.

"They obtained their visas as English teachers and are banned from making money through other means," the spokesperson said.

"Foreigners also have to go through certain procedures to stage performances in Korea but they did not do so. Urine tests were conducted due to reports of drug use before and after the show but all came back clean."

The investigation comes following an undercover operation in which police officers, who had been observing members of the comedy troupe for some time, attended Babo-palooza! at Neoreun Small Theater, Gwangalli Beach, Busan.

Staged over two nights before full houses of foreigners and Koreans in early December, the performers delivered a series of sketches taking a lighthearted look at life in Korea. The group's brand of satirical humor was well received by audience members but the "Immigration" sketch - featuring an English teacher being interviewed by a panel of Immigration Bureau officials and lampooning Korean cultural issues including kimchi, Dokdo and "fan death" - may have drawn the ire of police.

Chris Tharp, 35, an organizer, writer and performer in Babo-palooza! believes the police crackdown is politically motivated and more about "keeping foreigners in check."

"Look, most of the audience had a good time but we hit some taboos and pissed people off," he said. "I'm not surprised that some were offended by the show's content but that's comedy. Subversive comedy is unstable matter which could explode; I apologize for any offence taken."

Tharp, an English instructor at a university in Busan said the group was not trying to run an illegal business by staging the show and had even applied to Busan Metropolitan City in September for a grant to help offset productions costs.

"I had done another show with a Korean producer and had no problems," he said. "Babo-palooza! ballooned into a bigger show and I was wearing too many hats. I'd done this thing back home for 10 years and slipped into a false sense of security ... I was just too comfortable."

Sam Hazleton, 31, a writer and performer in the show, describes the police investigation as a "witch hunt" and "very disappointing and depressing."

"I didn't consider taking part in Babo-palooza! to be criminal in any way," he said. "For me, this was about doing something fun and interesting.

"Taking part in a sketch comedy? Why would you even think that was illegal?"

([email protected])


By John Scott Marchant

[hubba bubba]

Yeah, Korea's pretty lame sometimes. Acting without a permit. Go Hub of Asia!!!

[wire]

Go die Busan police.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Mashimaro]

Police in America bust Koreans for prostitution, police in Korea bust foreigners for acting.. which is worse?

[yesnoyesyesno]

yeah that seems pretty nuts. but judging an entire country on the interpretations of law of a handful of immigration workers seems pretty nuts too. i highly doubt that this case will stand in court anyway.

[Darkness]

That's insane.

I hate how they can randomly drug test you here, what a bunch of B.S!!

[jaganath69]

Rule of law Vs rule by law, anyone?

[hogwonguy1979]

its already been talked about extensively here:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=73547

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Qinella]

[SeniorEnglish]

Hey,

I have to take a drug test just to get a job in the US. I remember hearing bout 250 foreigners getting deported for drugs. Perhaps they are to blame for the random drug tests?

[Darkness]

Ya I know about the drug tests in the states, it's ridiculous.

God forbid, I sit at home smoke a plant and eat some bloody doritos then go to bed...

"It's not a war on drugs, its' a war on personal freedom, please remember that at all times"

[Poktanju]

Existing thread in progress on this issue:
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=73547