Jeju Life and Jim Saunders in the Halla Ilbo

I was reading the local Halla Ilbo newspaper and came across a small article talking about Jeju Life magazine, Jim Saunders, and the publishing of a Jeju Life back issue complilation book to commemorate (if that is the correct word) its passing.

I found the article HERE. Since I can't seem to bookmark the exact page/article I copied and pasted it below. Jim, if you're reading this, job well done and best of luck to you in your academic endeavors.



제주 영문홍보물 'Jeju Life' 발간
한·아세안 정상회의 기자단에 제공
입력날짜 : 2009. 05.23. 00:00:00

제주시가 한·아세안 특별정상회의를 통해 제주를 세계에 알리기 위해 영문홍보물 'Jeju Life(사진)'를 발간했다.

'Jeju Life'는 제주에서 원어민강사로 일하던 영국인 Jim Saunders씨 등 외국인들이 2007년부터 지난해 말까지 15회에 걸쳐 매달 발행한 책의 통합권이다.

책은 한·아세안 특별정상회의 취재차 제주를 방문할 내·외신 기자들에게 제공하기 위해 124쪽의 국배판 올컬러로 제작됐는데, 외국인들이 직접 제주에서 체험한 문화·관광·축제 이야기와 외국인이 일상생활에서 필요한 각종 정보를 담고 있다.

Jim Saunders씨는 자비를 들여 매달 8쪽 분량의 책자를 만들기 시작했는데 제주시는 4호부터 발간비를 지원하고, 기사의 일부는 제주시정 소식지인 '열린 제주시'에도 수록해 왔다.

Always Have Enough Money

I seems that the young man, that posted the message that set me off about private teaching, posted a few more comments on the YGTSRN message board.

Apparenly, he posted the original message out of desperation. The young man believes he is to be fired from his hogwan job and will, according to him, be out of a job, out of a place to stay and out of money.

From reading his more recent posts it seems I was too harsh in my characterization of him as stupid or a "mental midget." He is/was desperate. Desperation makes everyone do things they normally wouldn't do, including violate the law. You can read the thread over at the YGTSRN.

His case does illustrate a point I have made numerous times on this blog over the years. My point is this: ALWAYS HAVE ENOUGH MONEY ON HAND TO LIVE FOR 30 TO 45 DAYS WITHOUT A PAYCHECK AND/OR GET HOME.

Too many people come over to Korea without really thinking about what could go wrong. Either that, or once they burn through the money they came over with, fail to rebuild their emergency funds. Living paycheck to paycheck in Korea is not the wisest move you could make. Relying on a future severance payment and promised airline ticket to get home, or hold you over until the next job, is not smart. Look around the 'net. How many stories can you find about teachers being cheated out of severance and a flight ticket home? Too many.

The situation described by the young man, who posted the original message, is not unique. I have seen it or heard about it many times before. I'd say in 99.9 percent of the cases if the person had exercised a little financial responsibility they wouldn't have ended up in a bad situation. We all think it can't happen to us. We think it is always the "other guy" that gets screwed. We think this way until it happens to us.

It is always worthwhile to play the "What if" game. In this case "What if you were notified right now that you are fired and that any monies due you would not be paid." What would you do? Seriously. Do you have enough money to get home or live on for a while? If you don't, or can't confidently answer the question, it may be time to think about getting your emergency finances in order.

The best defense is a good offense as they say. It is also wise to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. In doing so, you can guarantee your stay in Korea will be desperation free.

To the young man who mistakenly placed the private teaching message, best of luck. I sincerely hope everything works out for you.

LOJ

Troll or Terminally Stupid? You decide.

I was reading the messages on the Yahoo Group That Shall Remain Nameless and came across the following:

Advice on private students...

Hey guys,
I was wondering if anyone knows how find private students to teach outside of
your hagwon. I know this is illegal and there is a risk involved but that many
people do it and I could really use the extra bucks.

If anyone knows of anyone looking for a private teacher please let me know. If
you prefer you can private message me.

Cheers,

El Dude

The message was posted by some mental midget who goes by the catchy name "elduderino_man." The person supposedly joined the group on 5/22/09.

Many things worry me about the above post. First, it is worrisome that someone could be stupid enough to actually post a message advocating doing something illegal. I have personal knowledge of foreigners being arrested and deported for private teaching. Immigration is NOT stupid, nor do they have a sense of humor. For E-2 Visa holders, without permission from their primary employer AND immigration, it is ILLEGAL to teach privately!

The second thing that worries me is the fact that this message actually got passed the mods and was posted! WTF, mods? Is the YGTSRN now turning a blind eye to illegal activities in order to continue to be "the" voice of the weigukin community on Jeju Island? I hope not. I hope letting this BS through was just one of those "Aw shit" moments we all have from time to time.

The third thing that worries me is that if this is some kind of troll and someone thinks it's funny, then that person has a truly warped sense of humor. It is not funny. I doubt many, if any, native speaker teachers would give you credit for actually having two brain cells that are capable of firing neurons. It is the law abiding teachers that have to constantly jump through hoops and put up with crap because of the immature antics of Jeff Spicolli wannabe's that infest the nether regions of the foreign community on Jeju.

The least likely possibility is that this message was posted as some kind of "sting" for native speaker teachers by the local authorities. I doubt it because (1) of the language used and the fact that (2) immigration has its hands full with illegal Chinese on the island and (3) I can imagine some foreigner on the island actually being stupid enough to post the message, for whatever reason.

Regardless of who did what to whom and why, the above message, posted on a board that is often read by officials of the local government, will be yet another piece of ammunition for those who think all foreign teachers are illegal drug taking perverts and cost more than they are worth.

(If you don't get the reference to "Jeff Spicolli" I invite you to watch the movie "Fast Times at Ridgemont High.")

Avoid Jungmun at the end of May

Just a reminder that the ASEAN Conference is going to be held in Jungmun the last weekend of May and extending until June 2, 2009. For security reasons, traffic will be re-routed away from the tourist complex during much of the conference. Nick at KCTV English News had a story about the traffic re-routing the other day. If you were planning a trip to Jungmun Beach for May 30 - 31st, I'd plan on going to a different beach that day.

Also, a word of advice. Jeju Island and Korea wants to put on a successful conference and "put their best foot forward" as they say. The period of May 30 - June 2 wouldn't be the best time to go to Gecko's or other bar in the area, get flamed, and then act like an idiot in public. I doubt the cops, of which there will be many, will have a sense of humor during the event.

The above photo goes with the newspaper story about the increased police presence on the island during the event. They are bringing in reinforcements from the mainland to ensure a safe and secure conference.

Taxes for Teachers

I came across yet another teacher the other day that was unsure if their employer is deducting the correct amount in taxes. In other words, the teacher thinks the employer is deducting too much and pocketing the difference.

Many employers will tell you that there is a standard tax rate of 3.3% or 5% or, as one teacher was paying, 7%(!). Horse-hockey!

Some employers will give an employee a raise and then take most of it back in a ridiculously high "increased tax rate."

The tax rate in Korea is variable just like back home in the U.S. and is based on your salary and qualified deductions.

I would strongly suggest all teachers check to ensure that the correct amount is being deducted from their pay.

You can check on-line at the Korea National Tax Service website page at the following link:

Quick Viewer Service: Check Your Monthly Withholding Tax

Remember the amounts are in thousands. Therefore 2,000,000 Won salary should be entered as 2000. 2,100,000 should be entered as 2100 and so on (no comma's).

You can also download the actual tax table in Excel or HWP for future reference (arguments with the boss,etc.)

If in doubt, you can also call the Foreign Tax Payer Help Line (English) at 02-397-1440.

I hope the info helps. Have a great week.

LOJ

Nathan Furey Volleyball Tournament and Pension Benefits

I was looking at the pension scheme today and came across something that may be important.

Recently, we had a foreign teacher, Nathan Furey, pass away on the island. The foreign community on Jeju has really been coming together to support Nathan's wife and children. Included in these activities is a "Facebook" auction and a volleyball tournament at a local beach. SEE LINK

I was thinking of this when I remembered that if the teacher had been a member of the pension scheme in Korea (which I think he would have been based on his place(s) of employment), his wife and children may be eligible for death benefits.

If someone reading this knows Nathan's wife,loved one's and/or friends, please let her/them know that these benefits could be available - if they haven't already been taken care of by the family.

Here is the LINK to the pension information and I going to post some of the pertinent parts of the section below:

(3) Survivor Pension

[Payment of Survivor Pension]

If the current or former insured person falling under any of the following items dies, a survivor pension shall be paid to his/her surviving dependents.

- an old-age pensioner
- a disability pensioner with disability of the 2nd or 1st degree
- an insured person (in the case of insured persons with an insured period less than one year, entitlement is limited to death caused by disease or injury occurred during the insured period).
- a former insured person whose insured period is 10 years or more - an insured person with an insured period of less than 10 years, who dies within 2 years from the first medical examination made within 1 year after disqualification or during the insured period owing to the disease or injury occurred during the insured period.

There is no required minimum insured period for a survivor pension. But a survivor pension is not paid to the person who does not pay contributions faithfully. In other words, the survivor pension shall not be paid to a person who has not paid even one contribution at the time of the beneficiary's death or whose contribution period at the time of occurrence of a reason for benefit payment is less than 2/3 of the total period during which contributions should have been made (except for the case where the unpaid period is less than 6 months).

[Scope and Order of Survivors]

A survivor pension is paid to surviving dependents with the priority in the order of the spouse, children, parents, grandchildren, and grandparents. If there are 2 or more persons having the same order, the pension is paid by equal distribution. And if the spouse's right to a survivor pension is extinct or suspended, the children supported by the current or former insured person at the time of his death succeeds to the right.

If a survivor pension is paid to the spouse, it is paid for 3 years from the time when the right occurred, and is suspended until she is 55 years old. But it is not suspended if she has the 2nd or 1st degree of disability, or is not engaged in income-earning activity, or supports the current or former insured person's children who are less than 18 years old or have the 2nd or 1st degree of disability.

In addition, to acquire the survivor pension right, one must have been supported by the current or former insured person at the time of his/her death and also must fall under one of the following categories.

(5) Lump-sum Death Payment

When a current or former insured person dies without leaving survivors eligible for a survivor pension or a lump-sum refund due to age or other reasons, a lump-sum death payment is paid to a spouse, children, parents, grandchildren, grandparents, brothers or sisters, in that order. However, a person whose whereabouts are unknown, due to being missing, etc, at the time of death of the person who is/was insured, is excluded. If there is no one falling under the above category, the lump-sum death payment is paid to a relative such as an uncle, aunt or cousin who is supported by the beneficiary at the time of his/her death. In addition, there is no age restriction for survivors who can receive a lump-sum death payment, differing from a survivor pension and a lump-sum refund. The spouse's parents and grandparents, however, are not eligible to receive a lump-sum death payment.

A lump-sum death payment is the amount equivalent to a lump-sum refund, but shall not exceed four times the larger of the deceased insured person's last SMI (adjusted to the value of the previous year to payment of the benefit) and the average SMI (adjusted to the value of the previous year to payment of the benefit) during his/her insured period.

I hope that this helps in some small way.

LOJ

Teaching In Jeju City

I was on another website and found the following:

I would like to warn potential teachers about this school. Me and another foriegner have lost alot of money and had many problems at this hagwon. I would like to ensure that another person does not go through the same experience.

E. BO YOUNG Talking Club Jeju Island

727 Nohyeong dong 5F Eunhye B/D Jeju South Korea 690-802
Ph 82-64-713-0594
License Number: 616-92-23778

Manager: Nicole
Director/Owner: Kim Geun

Problems with pay, working hours, class sizes, vacation and the list goes on. No vacation days given. Class sizes up to 35 kids with all levels in one class! Had to organize cooking days game days with no assitance or extra pay. Constant schedule changes and contract violations.

When I brought up the broken terms in the contract I was threated to be fired and no compromise was made. I had to adhere to the new everchanging rules of the contract.

If you have any questions please post or email me at mboucher5822@msn.com or the other teacher at zenon74@hotmail.com

I am NOT saying that I agree or disagree with the above. There are always two sides to every story. If interested you may want to contact the people listed. I post it here FYI only.

Only 2% of Foreigners.....

are covered by the Korean medical insurance program. Based on my own anecdotal evidence, I have no reason to doubt the above statistic. From the Korea Times this weekend:

Booklet on Health Insurance for Foreigners Released

From the short article:

About 1.1 million foreigners live in Korea and only about 2 percent are subscribing to the state-sponsored insurance policy.

I have no reason to doubt the statistic. I have rarely come across a non-EPIK teacher that has health insurance. They are out there, but kinda rare.

Since 2006, all paid foreign workers have been obligated to subscribe to it and self-employed people who have stayed here fore more than three months can join by visiting local corporation offices or logging onto its Web site at www.nhic.or.kr.

Be careful that your employment contract IN KOREAN does not list you as an independent contractor. As an independent "self-employed" contractor, your hogwan boss is under no obligation to give you medical coverage. If you are a paid regular employee - hogwan or other teacher - your boss is required to give you medical insurance.

If, in the future, I come across a downloadable copy of the booklet described in the article, I'll post it.

If you wonder why I repeatedly post about medical insurance, it is because I hate to read about some mother and/or father in Canada or the U.S. that, with everything else on their plate, has to deal their sick or injured child's hospital bill in Korea. It is usually a case where their child is/was a native-speaker teacher who was injured or became sick in Korea - and was too stupid to get the medical insurance that Korean law says he/she was entitled. If you think I am being overly dramatic about this issue, fine. But, before you dismiss my warnings remember Bill Kapoun

Thinking about it recently, I can remember no less than 5 instances over the past decade that involved a sick or injured native-speaker teacher, no insurance covereage, enormous medical bills and a foreign community trying to scrape money together for the shocked and grieving family.

Korea has an outstanding medical insurance program. It is cheap and ensures access to proper care and treatment. Please don't play Russian Roulette with your health or yours and your family's finances.

Nuff said. Have a great week.

Chinese "Idea Man" Visits Jeju

I saw the following story in the news:

Chinese sex park is 'for the public good'

China is building its first sexually explicit theme park, and the giant genitalia sculptures and suggestive exhibits are getting many people hot and bothered in a country where talking about sex is still taboo.

Love Land is set to open in October in the south-western metropolis of Chongqing and will feature exhibitions about sexual history and how to use condoms properly. It will also host sex technique workshops, the China Daily newspaper said.

A picture of the main entrance shows a signboard bearing the park's name being straddled by a giant pair of women's legs topped by a red thong

As I read, I couldn't help but think the "idea man" in China was a former tourist on Jeju and took what he saw (see here) and wants to make a few yuan at home with it.

They say imitation is the sincerest form of compliment. I guess Jeju has been given a well-deserved pat on the back by some in China. Good on ya' Jeju Loveland.

UPDATE!!!!

This in from the Times of London via Fox News......

Chinese Sex Theme Park Knocked Down After Photos Released

For China’s Communist Party leaders, the country’s first sex theme park proved to be a G-string too far.

Within hours of a nationwide blaze of publicity for the park featuring over-sized statues of naked genitalia and how-to workshops, the bulldozers moved in to raze Love Land. The park had been set to open in October in the southwestern city of Chongqing.

Among the first displays to fall victim to the wrecking ball was a rotating signboard with the park’s name straddled by a giant pair of women’s legs topped by a red thong.

Damn. I was really looking forward to seeing the red thong sign thingy. Read the rest on your own.

An Example of Korea Times "Reporting"

You will often hear complaints about the myopic reporting of news in Korea. This morning I found a perfect example to illustrate the point. There was a story in the KT today about the Korean navy "rescuing" an Egyptian ship (again) near Somalia.

Korean Navy Rescues Ship Off Somalia Again

A South Korean naval unit patrolling in pirate-plagued Somali waters has rescued an Egyptian-registered vessel from being hijacked, the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul said Thursday.

The Cheonghae unit, aboard a 2,100-ton destroyer, has been operating in the Gulf of Aden since early last month as part of a U.S.-led multinational anti-piracy campaign.

The rescue which took place Wednesday night (Korean time) marked the fourth time the 300-member unit has driven away suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia, having also aided North Korean, Danish and Panamanian commercial ships, according to Yonhap News Agency.

So, the Korean navy, by itself, rescued the Egyptian ship. Wow, great job guys!

Uhh, wait a minute.... the same incident reported by CNN International:

U.S., Korean warships stop Somali pirate attack

(CNN) -- South Korean and American warships stopped a suspected pirate attack on an Egyptian ship in the Gulf of Aden, capturing 17 suspected pirates, the U.S. Navy announced Thursday.

The USS Gettyburg helped stopped a suspected pirate attack, detaining 17 people.

The South Korean destroyer ROKS Munmu the Great and cruiser USS Gettysburg launched helicopters in response to a distress call from the MV Amira, the Navy statement said. While en route to the Egyptian-flagged ship, they spotted a dhow that the navies suspected was being used as a pirate "mother ship."

An American search-and-seizure team boarded the dhow and found eight assault rifles, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and one rocket-propelled grenade, the Navy said. All 17 people aboard the boat were detained.

It was the first time the anti-piracy task force CTF 151 had captured suspected pirates, the Navy said.

I guess the KT decided that the whole story, or even factual accuracy, wasn't important to the story. After all, the KT is more of a propaganda machine than a newspaper, as the above clearly illustrates. I wonder if anyone at the KT ever wonders why very few expats take them seriously. I know the answer to that. Based on what gets published on a regular basis, I doubt anyone at the KT really cares about quality.

By the way, seeing as how the Korea Times becomes practically orgasmic when a Korean does something noteworthy in another country, I wonder why I am having a hard time finding a Korea media link to the following story:

3 SKorean soldiers convicted of bribery in Iraq

Yeah, I know. I'm not holding my breath either.....

Oh well, just another news day in Korea. Gotta love it.

UPDATE!!! UPDATE!!! UPDATE!!! UPDATE!!!

Just when I thought the quality of reporting and now editing at the Korea Times couldn't get any lower, I saw this on the blog "Dokdo is Ours" (via the Marmots Hole and Brian in Jeollanamdo). Within the last month the KT has managed, in my opinion, to go from its usual "incompetent" to "pathetic" (thanks to Jon Huer), to being reduced to a pitiful, sad joke. Actually, it isn't even funny anymore, just pitiful.

(Come to think of it, the pitiful state of the KT is fast becoming the best reason, I can think of, for learning to read Korean if you want to know the news in Korea.)

Toilet Snake = Instant Constipation

I read the following today and suddenly lost the urge to go to the bathroom - ever again....

Some choice comments from the story:

TAIPEI (Reuters) - A Taiwanese man became a sitting target for a snake, which bit his penis as sat on the toilet at his rural home, local media reported on Monday.

Oh hell, no. I just had to read this friggin story right after lunch.....

The 51-year-old man, from Nantou County, was under medical care with minor injuries, a director at Puli Christian Hospital said.

I'm sorry but if a snake bit me on MY Johnson I wouldn't consider it a minor injury. It would be pretty friggin' major in my book!

"As soon as he has passed the risk of infection, he can go," the director, who declined to be named, said. "A snake's mouth isn't always clean."

Gosh, the snake was living in a sh*thouse. Do you really think its mouth might not be clean? Really? I guess that's why he is the "director" and I'm sitting at my desk in Korea with my tallywacker hiding between my legs.

Lost And Found

Sometimes I will see someone post something on the local websites concerning a lost item.

The latest post got me thinking that maybe the lost and found website may be of use to someone:

Again, the following site is mainly for items lost at the airport. However, they do have a section where people can post information about items they have found that doesn't seem to be restricted to the airport.

If the link doesn't work, the web address is http://cyber112.police.go.kr
You will probably need a Korean speaking friend to help you navigate and search everything.

On the site there is a grey bar over the list of itmes. As far as I can make out the grey bar has links to other pages for:

습득물보기 What was found by someone
분신물보기 What was reported lost by someone
습득물검색 Reporting a lost item.

An explanation of the "lost and found" system in Korea vis-a-vis public transportation can be found at the above site. I included the chart of the system below.



I tried to access the www.LOST114.com site, but for some reason I couldn't get to it on my computer at work. There is also a lost and found section on the Korean police website you can try.

Here's hoping the info helps and you never have to use it.

Jeju Dream Tower

Well, it looks like after years of political wrangling, and on again-off again construction activity, the Jeju "Dream Tower" (can you say 'nightmare?') has been approved.

If you looked behind the E-Mart in Shin Jeju and noticed a big hole in the ground with a big yellow crane, that is where the tower is going to be built.

The two towers are going to be 62 floors. No, I didn't stutter, I said 62 floors. It will contain a tourist hotel (yeah, like Jeju needs another friggin hotel), condominums, malls, etc. It will also totally screw up traffic and travel times in and around No Hyung Dong. Building a major construction project on the busiest and most important 5 way intersection in Shin Jeju makes me wonder about the thought process involved in all of this.

I don't know, I'm not really smart on urban development or anything, but I just don't see the wisdom of building a 62 story tower in a place that touts its natural beauty, clean environment, "well-bing," etc., etc.

First, the navy base and now this.



Sometimes I wonder if the real objective of the powers-that-be on Jeju is to turn Jeju into nothing more than "Seoul South."

Idiots. They're All Idiots

I read this in the paper this afternoon.

Foreign English instructors booked on drug charges

Police booked six foreign English instructors on suspicion of using marijuana, officials said Friday, with some allegedly conducting class while under the influence of the drug, Yonhap News reported.
Among those charged were three teachers from Canada, two from the United States and one from New Zealand, all of whom teach English at private institutions or elementary schools in Seoul. Police also arrested a Nigerian man, whose name has been withheld, on suspicion of providing marijuana to the six suspects.

According to police, the drugs were supplied to the suspects by the Nigerian dealer and were imbibed in and around their residences in Itaewon, a neighborhood populated by bars and other late-night establishments. They added that some of the suspects smoked the banned substance before heading to class in the morning.

"The suspects are believed to have routinely used the drug from a young age," a police official said. "We have to tighten visa controls for foreign teachers with medical and criminal records."

2009.05.08

To the Canadians, Americans and Kiwi that got busted, all I can say is I hope you all get to be the "Bitch of Honor" at your own "Coming Out" party in prison. Asshats. It's clowns like those in the story that make it tough for the rest of us to be taken seriously by the locals.

But I have a special message to the police official quoted at the end of the story.

Sir, you make the asshats look intelligent. The Nigerian that was the pusher didn't have to do a CRC or health check before coming in to country, did he? Nope. And what's with the using it since they were young crapola. On what evidence do you base that stupid comment? They come from the West so they must have done it since they were young. Is that it? Oh, brother. Did your mother have any intelligent children? The foreigners can stop using weed and smarten up, you on the other hand, seem to be terminally stupid.

So, by my count we have 3 stupid Canadians, 2 stupid Americans 1 stupid Kiwi, an incredibly stupid Nigerian and a terminally stupid police spokesman.

Another day in the ROK.

Common Scams

Over the years I have had occasion to speak with, advise and assist many native speaker teachers that work for private academies. Unfortunately, in an overwhelming majority of cases, when I asked questions about pay, benefits, job situation, etc, I find that the teacher is unknowingly being cheated or violating Korean law. It is amazing to me that many of the young teachers I have spoken with are fully convinced that they are not being cheated, or violating Korean law because “my director told me blah, blah, blah.” Below are some of the situations and common scams I have been made aware of and/or tried to help other teachers rectify over the years.

Taxes:

Too much deducted from teachers paycheck and the difference is kept by the director.

Taxes deducted from paycheck, kept by the director, and not forwarded to government.

An incredibly high (and illegal) tax rate applied by school to a teacher’s severance pay.

Taxes never deducted from teacher’s pay. The teacher had a problem with the IRS when the teacher got back home. The teacher was audited after filing taxes and was unable to prove they paid taxes in Korea for 3 years.

Taxes for entire year deducted from severance pay because director “forgot” to deduct it from the monthly pay. Therefore, to ensure the teacher wasn’t “going to get into trouble for breaking Korean tax law (!?),” the director deducted 12 months worth of taxes from the teacher’s severance pay. You wanna bet if that money ever found its way to the Korean tax office? Naw, didn’t think so.

Medical Insurance:

A teacher was never signed up for medical coverage, but told they were. The teacher had an accident and, in the emergency room awaiting treatment, discovered they had no insurance coverage and had to pay for services before being treated.

Another teacher was told that the school would cover all costs if the teacher gets sick, so signing up for medical insurance was not required. Several months later, the teacher got very sick and school refused to pay for teacher’s treatment. The school director claimed there had been a “miscommunication” and that the school never promised to pay for the teacher’s medical expenses. The teacher was fired shortly thereafter for failing to come to work (because they were in the friggin” hospital!).

A “school insured” teacher got sick and had tests done at Halla Hospital. The school director told the teacher that the school would “take care of it” and “only” deduct half the cost of the test from the teacher’s pay. The teacher agreed to this without getting a copy of the receipt for the total cost of the tests. Later, after leaving at the end of their contract, the teacher discovered that the tests cost 150,000 Won. However, the school director had deducted 1,000,000 Won (!!!) from teacher’s paycheck to pay for tests.

A teacher got sick in the 10th month of their contract. The teacher racked up over 700,000 Won in medical expenses. School refused to pay since teacher was going to leave at the end of their contract.

A teacher, at the urging of their “nice” director, started a treatment program for general health and weight loss with an “Oriental Medicine Doctor.” The director set everything up and even accompanied the teacher to their first couple of appointments. The treatments consisted of acupuncture and herbal medicines prepared by the doctor. After several months the teacher discovered the doctor was actually a close family member of the director. Thinking something might be amiss the teacher went to another clinic, with a Korean friend, and discovered that he was paying twice the normal cost for office visits at the first clinic. In addition, the monthly supply of herbal medicines, which cost 300,000 Won and was paid for up front by the director and later deducted from the teacher’s monthly paycheck, actually cost only 150,000 Won. In other words, over a three month period, the teacher paid 900,000 for herbal medicines that really should only cost 450,000 Won.

Pension:

Teacher never told about the pension scheme and never signed up by school.

Pension premium deducted from pay but teacher never signed up for pension.

Teacher told pension is not a good deal so “nobody does it.”

Teacher told they are too young to be in the pension system.

Director deducts entire pension premium from teacher’s pay.

Miscellaneous:

In Jeju City a teacher had “mysterious” deductions from their pay check that went unnoticed for almost a year because the teacher never got a pay stub nor reconciled his pay records with what was deposited in his bank account.

A teacher in Jeju City was working at 2 different, and unrelated, academies because director said he had checked with immigration and “they said it was OK.” It wasn't. In effect, the teacher’s services were “sold” by director to another academy. Kind of like a pimp selling a working girl. The teacher eventually got "farked" and didn't even get dinner from the immigation guys that arrested her. Makes you proud, doesn’t it?

A teacher in Seogwipo was told by their director to work at kindergarten in violation of their E-2 visa. The teacher was caught by immigration and fined 500,000Won. The director received a "Please don't do it again" letter from some clerk in immigration office.

In Seogwipo a director opened bank account for a teacher. The Director had total access to the teacher’s account. Later, the teacher’s bank account was used by the school for “creative” accounting. Since it was the teacher’s bank account, the teacher was ultimately responsible to the Korean tax and law enforcement authorities for any/all illegal activities that transpired via the bank account.

In Seogwipo and Jeju City a “nice” director suddenly became a demon on PMS and verbally abused the teacher when told the teacher wouldn’t sign for another year. Think about this if you get sick in the 10th month and you expect your school to cover your medical bills!

A teacher’s utility bills were not paid, even though deductions for utilities taken out of pay check. The teacher was never given a receipt for the supposedly paid utility bills. As such, the teacher couldn’t “prove” they had paid the bills so they ended up paying the bill twice, plus “late fee” in order to clear his account.

Comments:

I would strongly recommend that teacher’s insist on getting a receipt from the utility company, hospital, etc. for any and all bills paid by the teacher or on behalf of the teacher. Also, NEVER allow a director to deduct nongovernmental expenses from your paycheck without first getting a receipt from the other party (not director) showing the actual cost.

I don’t mean to sound all negative and stuff. I also don’t want to paint all directors with the same brush. I’m sure there are honorable bosses out there. More than before, I believe. In fact, I think I met one back in 2003, or maybe I was dreaming.

Anyways, I think it would be wise to remember that you are in a business that involves a razor thin profit margin. Your director/boss is a business person first and an educator second (last?). They are not operating a charity and are trying to increase their profit margin like any business. There is a temptation to cut corners and try to get away with some things often to the detriment of their employees both Korean and Western. Unfortunately, some succumb to the temptation. That is why Korea and/or the Korean private academy system have such a lousy reputation.

Just as your academy director/boss is a business person first and an educator second (or last), I strongly recommend that teacher’s realize that they are employees first and teachers second. I know some may gasp at the last statement, but I stand by it. As an employee you are guaranteed certain monies and benefits and you have an expectation to be treated fairly and in accordance with all applicable laws.

Wanting to receive the pay and benefits you deserve under your contract and law has absolutely nothing to do with your ability to teach. Just because you want to be in the pension system or have medical insurance or want the appropriate tax rate applied to your pay or paid for overtime work doesn’t make you a bad teacher.

Why do I harp on this? It’s because I was told one time by some person that they didn’t want to rock the boat on insurance because they didn’t want to “be thought of as a bad teacher.” WTF???? Don’t ever let a boss “guilt trip” you into accepting less than what is allowed by law and/or your contract because for some reason it is “for the good of the kids” or, likewise, fall for the ole “think about the kids first” line of BS.

Now, changing gears, let me say that it has also been my experience that some academy owners know less about Korean taxation, pension and medical insurance than a foreign teacher with a year’s experience. Just because they are the boss and are Korean, it doesn’t mean that they know what the hell they are talking about. Sometimes what we perceive as dishonesty is actually a combination of ignorance plus Confucian face-saving at work.

In a couple of instances, what was thought of by the teacher, and myself, to be a malevolent plot turned out to be a situation where a well-meaning director was totally ignorant of what was required by Korean law.

Remember, just as there are no teacher training requirements to teach in a private academy, there are no laws that require directors to be knowledgeable about medical insurance, taxes and/or pension before they open an academy and employ a native speaker.

Also, please remember that you are NOT the most handsome or pretty teacher, you are NOT the best teacher on the island. You are also NOT going to be “BFF” with your director/boss.

If you are an ignorant sheep, you will probably get sheared. It is just a matter of how often and for how much. Knowledge is power.

If you do have a problem, please don’t contact me for advice or assistance. In the past, I have assisted numerous teachers. However, for various reasons, I no longer assist (or advise) native speaker teachers with their problems. I just offer the above to help anyone that might be wondering what kinds of things to look out for, business wise, while in Korea and/or on Jeju Island.

Best of Luck. Enjoy the nice weather.

Asking Questions About Teaching on Jeju Island

This morning, I was thinking about my post about questions prospective teachers should be able to ask and/or answer. I had the idea of actually posting some typical questions and providing recommendations on how to ask more “pointed” questions. In this effort, the first place I visited was the “Yahoo Group That Shall Remain Nameless (YGTSRN).”

I quickly found the following question:

HI,

My name's XXXX and I was looking through some of the teaching positions in
Korea. I saw some of the horror stories at hagwons so I'm checking out jeju.
I'm assuming the situation here isn't as bad as in seoul or other places. I
looked at an English summer camp and there was already one posting to be aware
of a "Mr Lee", notorious of swindling everybody. If anybody can tell me how the
jeju lifestyle is, teaching environment, people (in school as well in general)
and any other info would help me out. As of now, I'm thinking about doing a
month but maybe if the pace of life is good/slow enough I would consider going
for a year. Thanks.

Now in this example we can see a question that is far too general. This is why, I believe, that many of these type of questions remain unanswered. People are not being rude by not responding. It’s that the question is far too broad. I would recommend the prospective teacher really think about what they want to know, that they can’t find for themselves with a simple internet search, and then ask specific questions. There are many nice people on Jeju that would be willing to try to point the questioner in the right direction, I believe.

However, there is also something the questioner needs to remember. Back in September, 2008 I wrote a post about “Cliff” on the Internet. When I wrote the post I was really thinking of a particular person on Jeju Island. I will refer to this person as “Mr. Funnyman.”

In response to the question above, Mr. Funnyman responded with the following:

(XXXX)
> ...looking through some of the teaching positions
> in Korea. I saw some of the horror stories...

We also have horror movies here, mostly "gwisin"
type where teachers who committed suicide hang
around a hagwon and haunt the newcomers.

This response pissed me off to no end. Besides providing no useful information it is also crap for other reasons.

First, Mr. Funnyman decides to try to impress someone by showing he knows the word for ghost in Korean. That, and 3,000 Won, will buy you a cup of coffee at “Tom n Toms,” big farkin deal. I don't know, maybe he is just trying to impress someone he thinks is a "newbie."

Next, Mr Funnyman then decided to make a joke about teachers who committed suicide. Guess what, Mr. Funnyman? There have been teachers who, while teaching on Jeju Island, have committed suicide! Each case, although different, is equally tragic. Suicide is not a farkin’ joke. I doubt their loved ones would really appreciate your little attempt at humor. I know I sure as hell don’t.

I am really resisting the urge to rip “Mr Funnyman” a new one right now. But, Mr. Funnyman does have his uses. Not only is he the poster child for the dangers of posting on message boards with no adult supervision, he may also be the best argument yet for legalizing retroactive abortions. Yeah, I'm pissed.

Also, prospective teachers should be aware that there are “Cliffs” that frequent message boards about Jeju Island and Korea claiming to know everything about anything on the island. Beware. Let’s take a look at a small example of what I am referring to from the “YGTSRN.” A question was posted:

shinsigagi
Can anyone tell me where this is on the island? What's it would be like for a
teacher living out there - as in convient or isolated??
Thanks!

Here we see a question a little more specific about a certain area on Jeju Island. While better, there is a problem, though.

The answers to this question all refer to 신시가지 “shinsigagi” in Seogwipo. The people that answered apparently forgot, or don't know, that there is a “shinsigagi” in Jeju City also.

Many Koreans still refer to areas of Shin Jeju as “Shinsigagi.” Hell, it’s even on the street signs, for goodness sake. As a test, I asked a couple of my coworkers this morning “Where is Shinsigagi? They ALL responded “Shin Jeju.” So, if the person asking the question is hearing this from a Korean person, it might be prudent to inquire which city they are referring to, Seogwipo or Jeju City. By the way, 신시가지 (shinsigagi) literally means “New Town.”This designation can be given to any area that is "developed" as a new area of an existing city.

Let me just say this to prospective teachers, if you want information about living and working on Jeju Island there are plenty of nice people that would be willing to help you out with your questions. You just need to (1) be specific about what you want to know, and (2) have already tried to locate the information on your own. You also need to be aware that the answer you get may be the result of an assumption of what you really mean, if that makes any sense.


Best of luck.

Aw Sh*t!!!

I saw this in the paper today (again, too much time on my hands). All I could think of is both parties involved are probably slapping themselves for not knowing, and being able to charge, more for the meal.

From the article:

The first forehead slapping Aw sh*t! provided by Mr. Choi:

Gunsan Police Station in North Jeolla Province booked the suspect, identified only as Choi, 42, on Monday for stealing the three-year-old Siberian Husky. He sold the dog ― worth about 3 million won ($2,400) ― on the black market for just 140,000 won.

The second forehead slapping "Aw sh*t!" comes from the restaurant owner:

Unfortunately it was already too late ― the dog had already been sold to a bosintang (dog meat soup) restaurant.

LINK

My One And Only Seagull Poop Covered Rocks (aka Dokdo) Post

I am going to break my own rules here and actually post something about "Dokto" or "Dokdo" or however the hell you spell it. When someone says Dok...whatever, I just think of some incredibly bored soldier with an empty brain, standing guard with an empty rifle, looking out at an empty ocean, trying not to get pooped on by a flock of seagulls trying to empty their bladders.

Anyways, the reason I am breaking my own rules is that although my true feelings are captured in the photograph below,



I am disturbed by information I received today. Apparently, in response to the deployment of a Korean warship on anti-piracy patrol, and this weekend's "rescue" of Uncle Kim Jung Il's ship from a pirate attack, Somali pirates are planning to hijack Dokdo!!! Yes, it's true! Somali pirates, disquising themselves as 3D workers at Hyundai Steel Chopstick Fabrication and Dry Cleaners are planning to board and hijack Dokto. You heard it hear first!!!

In order to press home their demands for a ransom of 5000 cup ramen and 3 bottles of soju, they will bring out the big guns. In preparation for their mission, the pirates have made a Dokdo T'Shirt! One of them even modeled it for the international press. Those cocky sons of a camel!!



They say if their demands are not met, they will have Somali school children draw really bad pictures of Dokdo like those below, and put them on display in a Mogadishu subway. The fact that there is no subway or school system in Mogadishu, will not stop these intrepid pirates. Oh, the horror!



Ohhh, those evil Somali pirates! Have they no shame! Please someone please pay the ransom!!! It's only 5000 cup ramen and 3 bottles of soju - or was that 5000 bottles of soju and 3 cup ramen. Oh, who gives a crap. Please help!!

OK, so I have waaaay too much time on my hands today. So sue me. Wouldn't it be funny if someone actually believed the load of B.S. above? Hey! Wait just a darn minute..... Remember this?! Hmmmmm the above may just have a shot at making it on Korean TV news. What's the phone number to MBC anyways?

A Few Questions For Prospective Teachers

From time to time I will check out local and national ESL/EFL websites. When I do, I often see new or prospective teachers ask questions about coming to Korea/Jeju.

The questions, in a majority of instances, deal with what could be loosely termed as "quality of life" issues such as:

1) Where to get Western food?
2) Can I bring my two-toed, five legged cat to Korea?
3) Are industrial strength tampons available in Korea?
4) Where can I meet other foreigners and get trashed?
5) Do Koreans really hate foreigners as much as it seems on Dave's ESL Cafe?
6) Is Korea terrible?
7) Is Korea wonderful?
8) Is Korea better than (fill in the blank)
9) Is Jeju better or worse than (fill in the blank)
1)) What's there to do in (fill in the blank)

Occasionally there will even be job related questions such as:

1) Have you heard about this or that school?
2) Have you worked with this or that recruiter?
3) Will an incident involving a bottle of tequila, a German shepherd and a toilet plunger disqualify me from getting a visa?
4) EPIK? GEPIK? SMEKIK? WHATEVERIK?

I decided to turn the tables as it were and ask a few questions to prospective teachers. The following are just off the top of my head.

Salary

1) How much is your salary going to be?
2) How much is that in your country’s currency?
3) Is the salary competitive for your level of education and experience?

Taxes

1) What is the EXACT Korean tax rate on your salary?
2) How do you know if what is being deducted from your pay is correct?
3) How do you know if your taxes are being forwarded to the government?
4) Do you still have to pay or file taxes back home while in Korea?
5) How can you prove you paid taxes in Korea?
6) Where can you go on the 'net for info regarding Korean taxes?

Medical Insurance

1) The premium is ___% paid by you &___% paid by the school.
2) What is the total medical insurance premium in Won?
3) When will you be signed up for medical insurance?
4) Will you get a medical insurance card or not?
5) How will you know if you have been covered?
6) May you be required to pay, even in an emergency, before getting treated if you don’t have insurance?
7) Do you like to play Russian Roulette with your health and finances?
8) Where, on the 'net, can you go for info about medical insurance?
9) If you take medication, can you get the same medications, at the same strength, in Korea?


Pension

1) Do you know what you are entitled to under the Korean Pension Scheme?
2) The employer contributes ____% and the employee contributes ____%
3) What is the total deduction in Won each month for pension?
4) What is the amount that should be deducted from your pay check?
5) Do you get a lump sum payment when you leave Korea?
6) How do you get your pension money when you leave Korea?
7) How do you get signed up for the Korea National Pension Scheme?
8) Where can you go on the 'net for information?

Pay Stubs

1) Will you get a pay stub every month?
2) Without a pay stub, with listed deductions, how do you know what the deductions are?
3) Does the amount deposited in your bank account match what is on your pay stub?


Language

1) Will you know how to read rudimentary Korean before landing at Incheon?
2) Will you be able to say basic survival phrases in Korean before landing?
3) Will you know the words for tax, pension, and medical insurance in Korean?

Housing

1) What the heck is a “pyung?”
2) How do you pay for your utilities?
3) How do you get everything hooked up?
4) How do you get internet?
5) If your boss is handling your bills how do you know you are not being overcharged?
6) What is the power system 110V, 220V or "I dunno. I plug it in and it works"?
7) Who has, or will have, keys to your apartment?
8) What is your budget for "setting up house" at your apartment?

Money (CRITICAL!!!)

1) Do you have enough money for at least 45 days when you get to Korea?
2) Will you always have enough money to leave Korea on short notice?

Miscellaneous

1) Is it OK to let your boss hang on to your passport?
2) How do you open a bank account?
3) Is it OK to have your boss set up a bank account for you?
4) Does your director really have a “friend” at immigration?
5) Can you legally teach before getting your Alien Registration Card?
6) Does your boss really keep your original diploma because “it’s the law?”
7) Does Immigration consider private teaching by "E-2's" a serious offense?
8) If your boss says you're handsome, will you two be friends for life?
9) Is it OK to teach at two different locations without immigration approval?
10) In most cases, is it advisable to start a personal ‘intimate’ relationship with a Korean co-worker?
11) Do you know how to use a comb/brush, bar of soap, and/or a razor?
12) Is it smart to adopt a dog, a cat, a Canadian or any other pet, since you are only going to be in Korea for a year or two?
13) How can you get a cell phone?
14) Can you trust someone just because they are a foreigner in Korea, like you?

Many people I have spoken with over the years have lamented the fact that when they first got the crazy idea of coming to Korea, they got all starry-eyed and the cold, hard business related facts were pushed to the back burner. These same people later learned the hard way the importance of research regarding the legal and financial considerations of working in Korea and/or on Jeju.

Not all of the questions I ask above are applicable to everyone. Nor is the above list all inclusive. As I mentioned previously, they are off the top of my head and come from situations I have seen on the island, believe it or not.

If what I ask above makes a prospective teacher think, put down the Lonely Planet, and do some research on the 'net about something other than beaches on Jeju, then my goal for posting the questions has been met.

Have a nice weekend.