There is an awful stigma against foreigners in South Korea. It is true that there are many that ‘run’ to Korea to escape an otherwise non-apealing life in their homelands. Concurrently, it can’t be denied that there are some brilliant Westerners teaching in SK – Unfortunately, the few bad seeds seem to ruin it for all. The frustration for me, as mentioned by others in this forum, is that as kind and as gentle as the Koreans may be, they are simply incapable of looking at themselves and correcltly self-analyse the problems within.

It is almost as if Koreans live in a constant state of denial. Comments from native Koreans such as: Homosexuality is a Western problem, or, No Koreans are gay or have AIDS, or Koreans never abuse children, used to drive me crazy. Particularly as they truly beleived in what they were saying – NUTS! It’s the Koreans that still beat their students with weapons for not having a hair cut, dink drive like there’s no tomorrow and work their children to death with 12hour + days of never-ending study and tutoring – denying them of any real childhood.

The recent events of the Canadian moleste, have created massive set-backs in the integration of Westerners within SK. This one-off incident has set our integration back years. I spent a year in SK in 2006, during which time I felt a great deal of descrimination and perhaps even hatered towards me for no other reason than the colour of my skin. Being quite an experienced traveller, it came as a surprise to me that SK is, in my opinion, the most racist country I have ever lived in. It is an absolute tragedy that time is proving to make things worse, not better.

Low pay, higher living expenses than other countries, substantial racism, excessive expensive and on-going administrative requirements, virtually no chance of career progression for long-term committment, shoe-boxed size accommodation and now a feeling that the SK Governmernt doesn’t trust any of us – why would I teach in South Korea when there is a whole world out there with far more attractive options?

Ultimately, I just don’t feel welcome in South Korea – by the Government or its people.

One thing is for certain… this policy implemented by the SK Government on foreign teachers will result in the exact opposite of what they are trying to achieve.

There is very little attraction to hard-working, honest, qualified and experienced teachers to commit their skill-set to an un-wanting population. English is in massive demand. The best teachers will go to where they are treated best. The rest will make their way to dingy, sleezy, privately and corruptly-run hogwons.

The irony is that this policy is achieving the exact opposite of its intended purpose… I wonder how long it will take (and how much their English proficiency scores drop) until they realise the sheer stupidity of these requirements.

As mentioned earlier, it is easier to point the finger at someone else. When the problems continue who will the Koreans blame? I sincerely hope they rethink and revise these laws. Sad times in Korea until then.

Seriously, this is quite the amazing collection you have put together. The fact that you equate all these and call them all bad examples says more than enough.

fact 2: drunk addict, bad example.

fact 3: womanizer, bad example.

fact 4: homos, bad example.

fact 5: pedophiles, bad example.

fact 6: porn actors/actresses, bad example.

fact 7: etc, bad example.

All these things disqualifies them and makes them have no right to be teachers of any sort especially to children.

what these jerks have been doing in Korea

Teaching kids and being gainfully employed?!?!

Scandalous!

perhaps some kind of service or package needs to be created by private enterprise or korean government to facilitate the process.

drug tests and criminal background checks… are normal for obtaining any kind of employment.

Not only are the entry restrictions becoming tougher than what everyone is bitching about in Japan, they also eat whale here, and no one seems to care. I don’t even care that they eat whale in Japan, but if the international media is going to denigrate a country for doing something, they should at least apply the same pressure on all countries equally, which really just goes to show how bashing on Japan is a trend at the moment. (Even the Canadians are jumping on the band wagon!)

Thing is, these rules will only apply to E2 (ESL teacher) visa holders. All other visas that may put people in teaching positions, or around kids (spousal visas, for example) are exempt from these requirements.

I guess the idea is that anyone who’s teaching business English at Samsung, married to a Korean and working in a university, or has Korean parents, and someone working at an international school… None of these people could never ever have smoked a joint.

IMPOSSIBLE!

Anyway, after six years, I’m leaving Korea because I’m unwilling to spend what will amount to a couple of months salary to fly home and get all of this done, with all of the government stamps they want on top of it to ensure that none of it was faked, just so I can work in the same place.

I’m not alone in this feeling.

Japan, China, and Taiwan are going to see a glut of EFL teachers in 2008. I guess this is the undertow of the Korean wave?

they are digging their own grave with those stupid”laws”
when no foreign teacher will be there they will see what this law brings them ..

Saying that testing for things like HIV is needed for people who teach children is rife for attack. It is a huge violation of human rights and basically tells people with HIV that they can’t do a certain job simply because of their condition. I thought we were working away from this. This new law is going to be gobbled up by human rights groups/HIV rights activists harder than you could ever imagine. It is down right sickening. I’m going to guarantee that there are some fantastic HIV positive teachers out in the world that could teach the Koreans a thing or two about living an honest, rewarding life by being true to yourself and others around you.

The mere fact that foreigners are required to take these tests says one thing to all Korean citizens, “All foreigners have AIDS and are criminals.” I thought we were developing away from this ridiculous stigma but I guess the Koreans and their government with it’s little man stigma are simply taking steps backwards into a world of insular addiction. Have fun!

Disclaimer: I have worked in Korea for a year……. and I know what it can be like.

If they required this for everyone wanting a visa, that might be unreasonable.

However, I feel that it would be irresponsible for people hiring teachers not to do a proper background/drug test.