Questions & Answers
Category:Teaching in Korea
How many foreign teachers are there in Korea?
The Korea Herald reported on 17 Dec. 2007 that, as of Oct. 31, 2007, the number of E-2 visa holders was 17,826, according to the Korea Immigration office. By nationality, the United States accounts for the largest number, with 6,981, followed by Canada with 5,265, the United Kingdom with 1,663, New Zealand with 760, South Africa with 696, and Australia with 688.
According to the same article, the number of illegal foreign English teachers (no work visa) was reported to be 143 in 2005, 200 in 2006, and 470 in 2007. Of these, 198 of the 470 are reported to be U.S. nationals and 139 Canadians.
K4E Editor: Korea4Expats.com tries to ensure that the information we provide is accurate and complete, so should you notice any errors or omissions in the content above please contact us at info@korea4expats.com.
Culture
- During interviews I've been asked about when I plan to have children, why I'm not married, etc. Is that legal? Are men asked the same questions?
- I've found that customers here often just hang up without saying goodbye. I don't know if they're angry or not.
- Why do people so often say 'yes' to something they don't intend to do?
General Info
Government Regs
- Do I have to file an annual Korean tax return?
- How can I figure out how to file my Korean income tax return if I don't speak/read Korean fluently?
- How can I make sure that my employer is paying the tax they deduct from my salary to the government?
- Do I have the contribute to the Korean Pension Plan even though I'm not going to be here until I retire?
- What can I do if my employer refuses to give me my severance pay?
Health
Housing
Money Matters
- If I pay for purchases with a Korean credit card, does this add to my income tax deductions?
- My boss only gave me less than one month's salary when my contract ended? What can I do.
- My employer did not give me my pension information until just hours before my flight. What can I do now?
- Why is it that universities don't pay airfaire to and from Korea?
- My employer pays me less than my hourly wage when I work overtime. Is that usual in Korea?
- Can I receive monies owed me by my employer after I leave Korea?
Working Conditions
- Is there a government agency I can contact in case of a contract dispute with a Korean employer?
- Can a foreign worker who does not have a work visa get help from the Ministry of Labor?
- As a foreign worker in Korea, am I entitled to maternity leave?
- Is my employer obligated to provide me with medical insurance?
- My employer enrolled me in a private insurance plan not the national one, is that legal?
- Can I get my own national health insurance coverage?
- My employer says that I have to go to a specific clinic/hospital? Can't I chose my own doctor/hospital?
- Does the national health plan cover 100% of my medical expenses?
- How much will it cost me to provide my own health insurance coverage?
- My employer has gone bankrupt owing me back wages and my air fare back home. Is there anything I can do?
- Is it true that as a foreign ESL teacher, I pay Korean income taxes 70% of my income, not 100%
- My employer wants us to work on promotions and special weekend camps for free or for less than our normal hourly wage. Can he do that?
- Which has more weight, labor law or the contract? Can a contract go against the law?
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Banks and Finance Services
KEB-Korea Exchange Bank, Expat Credit Cards -
Other Services
Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance - Car, Motorcycle, Home, Etc., Korea -
Business and Networking Associations
Asia Society Korea Center, Seoul -
Doctors, Hospitals, Intl Clinics
Grand Plastic Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery-Dermatology, Apgujeong, Seoul -
Entertainment
National Theater of Korea, Traditional Arts, Seoul -
Doctors, Hospitals, Intl Clinics
Chiro Song Clinic, Medical and Chiropractic Care, Gangnam, Seoul -
Counselling, Coaching, EAP, Therapy, etc.
Adaptable Human Solutions, Counselling-Therapy, Seoul -
Shopping, Food, Clothing, New and Used Stuff, etc.
Salvation Army Family Stores, Secondhand Goods, Seoul
Last Posts On Forums
An opportunity to meet the Editor-in-Chief of Dow Jones and Managing Editor of The Wall Street Journal.
The convention showcases the local tattoo scene.
The dates of the HaeBangChon Festival have changed to 25-26 May.
Click here for a list of English language/subtitled movies and where they are playing in Seoul. 
