Korean Job Discussion Forums

klyfusprufrock · Joined: 18 May 2007

Hello folks,

I regrettably have a criminal history in the United States, and am trying to becomes an ESL teacher in South Korea. The gears are in motion to get me the teaching job, but I wonder if the criminal history will terminate the possibility. I have considered both the possibility that my passport application won't go through, and the potential for the Korean school to run a background check. My crime, to my shame, is that I drove while intoxicated with a .083 blood alcohol level. Maybe I should have hired a lawyer back when it happened.

Thanks for any help anyone can give,
Kyle

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

was your DUI a misdemeanor or a federal charge? I am not an attorney, but I believe the things they are looking for most are people with criminal records involving those things that would fit into the federal crimes area...Did you receive any jail time or probation? How long has it been? If you don't want to say you can message me, and I'll ask some questions for you to the people in my local city offices...

Peter Jackson · Joined: 23 Apr 2006

Hi there,

I'm Canadian so I'm not sure about how the American system works but my brother had a DUI and he had to apply for a pardon in order to get a passport and work abroad. It took quite a while, involved lots of paperwork, etc but was granted without too much trouble.

You would have to check with the authorities in your state for details.

In terms of Korea, background checks are generally NOT done. Public school jobs may ask for them but this can sometimes be avoided.

I know in Canada there are diffferent levels of police checks. Police checks are NOT needed for the Korean visa and I don't think your employer would be too concerned about a DUI. Violent or drug offenses, or crimes against children would seem to be what they would be looking for.

Good luck.

VanIslander · Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 2:56 pm Post subject:

You can be a convicted murderer and sex offender and work in any of 95% of the thousands of hagwons in Korea as long as you've served your time in order to get through immigration control at the airport.

But if you want to work in the public schools then the nature of your crime might disqualify you during your criminal record check, dunno.

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

You can't get a passport if you have a criminal record in US/

Is that why only 30% of you have passports. Are the rest of you criminals?

Oh hang I might be mixing up the Ozzies

jbpatlanta · Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Location: Daejeon

deleted

Ianinilsan · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Location: South Korea

A criminal conviction will limit your job prospects. A hakwan owner can have a rap sheet a mile long and still own a hakwan.

jmbran11 · Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Location: U.S.

Most hogwans and private corporations don't do a criminal check. Stay away from public schools, or any recruiter who requires a background check. It's simple. Don't disclose it.

I've never heard of anyone being denied a passport for having a criminal record. As long as you are not violating any terms of parole, I'd say go for it.

Mosley · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Re.: public schools-yep. For my current contract I had to provide a criminal record document to get the job.

cbclark4 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan

Just go get a police check at your local PD.

If you are not in the same state as the DUI it won't show up.

cbc

CoDeReBeL · Joined: 04 May 2007

CoDeReBeL · Joined: 04 May 2007

mehamrick · Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Location: South Korea

BigBuds · Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Location: Changwon

rhinocharge64 · Joined: 20 Sep 2006

Having a drink driving disqualification does not disqualify you from working for government here in Korea. This is fact, and not heresay. If you need any more details please feel free to p.m. me.

Regards The Charge