Korean Job Discussion Forums

happeningthang · Joined: 26 Apr 2003

I haven't heard about this one before so I'm looking some information...

I'm working at a National University, and I'm a month away from finishing my (short term) contract. I worked here last year, and resigned leaving for an extended holiday. I wound up short of cash and options so I returned to the uni for a 3 month contract to clear some debts and gather some seed money.

All's well until today, when I was told that there was an administration stuff up last year, and I was overpaid. Now, at the time I can least afford it, I'm told I need to pay it back before I leave, or I will be placed on an immigration "blacklist" (my word not theirs) and won't be able to return to Korea once I leave. The reasoning being I could be labelled a fleeing debtor, or some such.

I can accept that I need to pay this money back, but right now I REALLY can't afford to do it.

Has anyone heard of this before, or are they blowing smoke up my bum on this one? I don't think they're overly malicious, they just want the money back. Still, if it turns nasty what kind of options do they have to make me pay?

wings · Joined: 09 Nov 2006

As far as I know you could be in trouble if you had debt with a credit card in Korea or similar, if you had signed documents where you say you will pay set amount. But in this situation I think that there is no reason or proof that you have to pay this money, so they are just trying to get you to pay, when really you don't have to. I would just tell them that you don't have the money and you can't pay it back. If they over paid you that is their problem, especially if it was last year. Be nice, tell them that you simply CANNOT pay back the money as you sent it home to help your mother pay for her cancer treatment.

Sody · Joined: 14 May 2006

Hmm this is a tough one, that fleeing debt thing I know applies in Canada. But in Korea? Nevertheless, it's good that you want to pay it back but I agree with Wings. Just try and explain to them that you don't have the money and are sorry you can't pay them back. Can you work a little to pay them back?

Sody

happeningthang · Joined: 26 Apr 2003

I'm working for them right now, but at least I get to control my own money.

I spent the last two months paying back creditors, and my visa's up at the end of the month, so I have to leave the country.

I need to do a visa run, pay for accommodation until I get my next job, and survive for a month after that. All on less than two grand.

They want half of that.

desperation · Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 1:44 pm Post subject:

"I don't think I was over-paid." "No, no I wasn't." "I think this is between you and the previous administrator." "No, this is not my responsibility." "Noooo, sorry, no."

The_Conservative · Joined: 15 Mar 2007

Jeweltone · Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Location: Seoul, S. Korea

You can work out a payment schedule with your university; find an administrator with whom you are on good terms and work it out with them.

I had the same situation due to our ever-so-slightly inept (uni) accounting department; moreover, many other teachers at our school have had the same problem. You would think that they would have learned...but I digress.

The short story is: I told them I had been overpaid for THREE MONTHS before they took care of it; they just blew me off when I called attention too it ("Oh, we're too busy!"). Suddenly, I ended up owing over a grand...after they felt like processing the paperwork.

After berating them for their lack of business sense, I made an arrangement to pay back the money in installments. I am now caught up in payment. You DO, unfortunately, owe the money to the school, but with a little diplomacy (probably more than I showed, but I was pi$$ed), can make other arrangements for payment...especially if you are on good terms otherwise and intend to stay in Korea.

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

Michelle · Joined: 18 May 2003

A sticky situation indeed....did they not pay your severance yet? They coulf try to take it out of your final payment.

Homer · Guest

BS.Dos. · Joined: 29 Mar 2007

Friend of mine got banned from Disneyland by the Disneyland Police after he was caught trying to steal a Pluto Mouse mat . Apparently, the Disneyland Police aren't real Police per se, but I imagine Mickey was none to happy about it when he heard.

He's never been back to Disneyland since it happened.

Hope this helps.

desperation · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 7:19 pm Post subject:

"OOOOOOoooooohhhh....wait, you mean the performance bonus I got from the previous administrator? You want it BACK NOW? Nooooo, sorry, uh-uuuhhh. I deserved it."

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

If you are a Debtor they first have to prove that you are actually in Debt.

Ask for proof of this "mistake" and then ask for leniency on the matter of paying back. Just inform them that currently your funds are running dry due to family needs back home or something like that, and that you would sign a promisaory note or something like that to apy back, that is IF you really have to pay it back.

happeningthang · Joined: 26 Apr 2003

I've set up a meeting to ask for proof of overpayment, and to explain my situation - and arrange a payment plan if need be.

My real concern is, if this guy turns out to be a dikc, what can he actually do to me?

I've heard from EFL law that they can't use my "debt" as an excuse to ban me, but, hey, worst case scenario if he's not going to accept my situation and he wants to be malicious - he can say anything he wants.

There's another post in this forum about a "do not return" list. Do they exist? Who maintains such a list, and how do you get your name on them?

If they're going to trash my visa and get me booted - then I'm leaving tomorrow.

Homer · Guest