By There has been a recent campaign by the Association for Teachers of English in Korea for equal treatment of foreign English teachers in Korea. Here is an ATEK press release that will hopefully clarify the goals of their campaign:
If you’re following our issues through blog comments and forums, you may have noticed that a significant minority of teachers who identify themselves as on F-series visas say they are opposed to ATEK because we’re going to cause them to have to take drug and HIV tests.
This is completely false, and a misunderstanding of what we’ve been saying, partly because of Korean news reporting, and partly because we didn’t boil our message down to a clear, single sentence the first time. Here it is: The Association for Teachers of English in Korea’s Equal Checks for All Campaign is calling for non-citizen teachers to undergo the same checks as Korean public school teachers; no more, no less.
Korean public school teachers do not take drug or HIV tests. It is discrimination to require non-citizens to submit to such testing. There was no reason to do this, because in the three years prior to the tests instituted in 2007, there were zero arrests of foreigners for use or possession of the drugs tested for. Further, the Korean Constitutional Court has already ruled it unconstitutional to deport a foreigner for having AIDS.
We simply want to be treated equally, without discrimination. We don’t want F-series visa holders to go through more checks; we want everyone to go through the checks that the Korean government uses for the backbone of its education system: the Korean public school teacher. And we want hagwon teachers (both Koreans and non-citizens alike) to also undergo the same tests. [Tony Hellmann - ATEK Communications Director]
Here is a chart from ATEK that lists the various tests and checks for foreign Visa holders compared to Korean citizens:
|
Requirements for Teachers |
Medical Check |
HIV test |
Criminal Background Check |
Drug Test |
| E-2 Visa Holders |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| E-1 Visa Holders |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| F-series visa holders
(public school) |
Yes* |
No |
Yes* |
No |
| F-series visa holders
(hagwon) |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Korean Citizens
(public school) |
Yes* |
No |
Yes* |
No |
| Korean Citizens
(hagwon) |
No |
No |
No |
No
|
*Not mandated by the Korean Immigration Service or Ministry of Justice. Mandated by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for all teachers.
Hopefully this press release clears up some of the confusion out there and better shows what ATEK is trying accomplish with their campaign to bring parity of hiring standards of foreign English teachers with that of native Koreans. I wish them luck and hopefully this gets worked out.
11:15 pm on February 7th, 2009 1
We don't want anyone to have to go through all that. A simple CRC and if the K-gov't wants, a basic health check too. But no drug and HIV test.
11:27 pm on February 7th, 2009 2
I'm F2 and am opposed to this. While it doesn't affect me one way or the other, I have a feeling that this will backfire and the Korean government will start forcing all educators to jump through these hoops.
1:28 am on February 8th, 2009 3
I think all this movement will only attract negative attention from Koreans. Just try to comply with the law or leave Korea if Korea is not a good option.
2:21 am on February 8th, 2009 4
That's the problem: there is no law. Immigration just made up the requirements on their own. Korea is a participatory democracy, and a proponent of human rights. They've seen fit to provide English language resources for foreigners to use to protect their rights. Why not use them?
4:48 am on February 8th, 2009 5
Just a quick note to say… Good Job ATEC.. also.. I am An ” F ” Visa holder.. I had to have medical checks.. drug tests and I had to have an HIV/AIDS test as well…. Korean teachers bitch about foreign teachers all the time..lets have them go through the shite we have to go through to scratch out a living..
6:43 am on February 8th, 2009 6
They’ve already introduced a bill to require it of all foreigners on work visas. That was prior to ATEK’s action.
I don’t see how it would be possible for the government to require all Korean teachers in the country to do a drug test and HIV test…the hagwons would scream, the Korean Teacher’s Union would lobby, and they’d stop the government from making that happen, in my opinion.
8:17 am on February 8th, 2009 7
"Just try to comply with the law or leave Korea if Korea is not a good option."
-OR-
"If you don't like it then just leave".
I'm so tired of this line as it seems to be the only defense ever offered.
9:55 am on February 8th, 2009 8
I have a question to any kind person willing to enlighten my ignorance: Why it is so painful for english teachers to show their criminal record and health check? Is this a cultural matter? (I know that in USA people are free and their privacy is protected by their constitution), or it is because of a practical issue like cost or bureaucracy hindrance?
When my family moved to Brazil many years ago we had to submit the same papers, and of course it took money and time to prepare them, but once submitted we were admitted here.
10:58 am on February 8th, 2009 9
Dr. Yu,
It's not a cultural matter, nor do I think it's the cost. I think there has been so much resistance to it because many teachers were already here when these new laws went into effect. They know that they're not based on stats, science or crimes rates. It appears to be based on xenophobia. All of the biggest stereotypes are being addressed with these requirements: They need criminal records because all foreigners are pedophiles and sex criminals. They need AIDS tests because foreigners all have STDs. They need drug tests because all of them are peyote smoking junkies. That's the vibe I've gotten from this law. And while it won't affect me, it angers me as well.
That being said, I don't think there is anything unreasonable about submitting ones criminal record. While I do think that the new submission law was based on Korea's somewhat irrational fear of pedophiles flocking to the peninsula, I don't think it's a bad idea, especially since so many of these teachers are in charge of children. Why not, right? The only issue I have is what criminal offense excludes you from being a teacher? Anything remotely related to a sex crime should of course, but where do we draw the line from there?
I think a lot of the health check frustrations stem from the AIDS test. The stereotype that many foreigners have AIDS is very well known among the expat population and it infuriates a lot of people. Still, I think the health check is a good idea for the sole reason that it would curtail expats who are coming here to take advantage of the Korean medical system. Honestly, I don't know anyone who has done that, but it could happen. The AIDS test is a little extreme still. No one with AIDS wants to live in Korea. Not even Koreans with AIDS.
The drug test is another issue, but I feel like I can kind of see through it. The teachers want to get high up until the minute they board the plane. Once they're here, it's only a trip to Japan, China or Thailand for another round, but they can't get there unless they come here first. But just as with the criminal record, what drugs rule you out? Cocaine and heroin should, but what about cannabis? What if you're a raging alcoholic?
If this law does stick, it must be refined. Otherwise, it looks like a knee jerk legal reaction to Korean stereotypes.
1:18 pm on February 8th, 2009 10
I'm interested in this issue as an F-5 visa holder (permanent resident), but am not too worried about the issue. It's more likely that the F visa holders won't be touched by this, mainly because if F-2 visa holders have to go through the checks, the same case can be made for F-4 (overseas Korean) visa holders, and it's unlikely that the Korean government would require F-2 checks and not F-4.
Korea wouldn't want to disadvantage fellow "countrymen" by making them take the same tests that they make "foreigners" do. [Putting aside for the moment the fact that F-4 visa holders are by definition foreign.]
Maybe I'm wrong and all F visa holders will have to go through the checks, but somehow I don't think so.
2:42 pm on February 8th, 2009 11
(Dr. Yu) “Why it is so painful for English teachers to show their criminal record and health check?”
Perhaps Dr. Yu—just perhaps—some foreigners feel there is a little bit of a race issue involved in all of this. There may not be a race issue involved; however, perceptions can taint reality. At the present time this does not affect me because I’m on an F-2. However, if I am told that I must do all these things and the foreign ethnic Korean on an F-4 does not have to, I will become a little bit suspicious as to the reason. The fact that some holding foreign passports are more closely scrutinized than others begs the question “Why?” In the Westerner's eyes both groups are foreigners if they were born in a foreign country. Therefore, one feels as if he or she is being discriminated against if other foreigners do not have to go through the same scrutiny. It becomes a racial issue when the Korean government exempts people based partly or solely on their Korean origin. The inferences here are quite basic Dr. Yu; I’m sure a person of your educational background sees this.
3:00 pm on February 8th, 2009 12
I think all foreigners should leave Korea. Leave Korea to the Koreans.
They may not hate foreigners, but they don't want us to stay in Korea, most of them anyway.
3:07 pm on February 8th, 2009 13
I agree with the criminal background checks. The health checks, I don't know.
Most people don't "move" to Korea by-the-way.
And why is it such a problem when Koreans drive around with signs on minivans saying foreign English teachers and professors are being watched and that Koreans should report any suspicious activity by foreigners?
I just don't get what the problem is with English teachers!
3:16 pm on February 8th, 2009 14
Yet if say a "white" person said the same to a Korean, they would be a racist.
Just like a Korean can call a person "white", but a "white" person can't call them "yellow" because that's racsim.
It's ok if a Korean says such things because, well, they're Korean and a Korean living/working/visiting another country would NEVER complain about discrimination against them…right Koreans?
4:29 pm on February 8th, 2009 15
I hate to see myself being even remotely on the side of the hakwon industry, but I don’t agree with the “human rights” and “equal rights” rhetoric here.
Teachers from abroad are not native citizens – they are immigrant and usually migrant workers.
The immigration bureau, thus the government, is requiring the health and drug screening, not the schools.
And I have no problem with a government requiring such health and drug screening of people wanting to enter their nation to live and work.
How is this a human rights or equal rights issue?
4:02 pm on February 8th, 2009 16
When I go to another country I have to take the foreigners row to have my passport checked in the airport and I don’t’ get offended or discriminated because that’s the way it is done everywhere. When I come to Korea I take the residents row, and the foreigners take the foreigners row. That’s normal.
After 11/9 terrorist attack, USA changed its immigration policy and forgave foreigner to transit the USA if they were not American visa holders. That pissed of many Koreans living in Latin America because they traveled to Korea by Korean Air with transit in LA, but because of USA new immigration law most of them could not take this route anymore. SO ……. most applied for American visa and once obtained the visa they could transit through LA, but those who had their visa request refused, first cursed USA and than toke a new route to Korea by Europe.
Another thing that pisses of foreigners when they have to go to USA is that they have their finger prints checked and the police take their picture in the airport. I know that American citizens are no subjected to the same treatment but they don’t seem to be bothered because of such discrimination, regardless of their educational background (Brazil applies the same treatment to Americans when they come to Brazil. Most Americans just accept it, but some people go crazy about it).
There are thousands of things that bother me in USA but the American government never ask me how do I feel about it, and that make me feel discriminated.
I don’t know why my government should treat me like a foreigner, just because some foreigners think that’s the way it should be. I`m a native Korean and I want my government to treat me with utmost respect and diligence. It’s not what every citizen expects from their government?
4:59 pm on February 8th, 2009 17
Dr. Yu, I not going to sit here and argue immigration policy with you; and I’m certainly not going to defend U.S. immigration policy. You asked a question, and I gave one possible variable in the equation. I’ll ask you a rhetorical question: Should I get preferential treatment on a working visa in France if I happen to be 100% French blood but was not born there or grow up there? Korea and the United States are both sovereign states that can make their own laws as they see fit. And as we both know, life is not fair; and therefore neither are the people who govern those states. One can only hope that the laws enacted are created with reasonably pure motives behind them.
6:20 pm on February 8th, 2009 18
Dr. Yu,
You're not addressing the issues at hand. You're just comparing things to the US. As I said earlier and IN SEOUL essentially repeated above.
"… there has been so much resistance to it because many teachers were already here when these new laws went into effect. They know that they’re not based on stats, science or crimes rates. It appears to be based on xenophobia. All of the biggest stereotypes are being addressed with these requirements: They need criminal records because all foreigners are pedophiles and sex criminals."
Comparing airport lines and fingerprints (which Korea will be starting soon enough) to these new visa requirements DOES NOT address the problem.
-OR-
You maybe we should take a few notes from this Korean woman who cheated the finerprint system in Japan.
http://www.smh.com.au/travel/woman-fools-japans-a…
6:31 pm on February 8th, 2009 19
Why is it painful, because rules like that get created from stories like this: “?? ????, ?? ??? ??? ??” (White English Teacher Threatens Korean Woman With AIDS – Chosun Ilbo) “??? ?? ??’ ?????” (Beware of the Ugly White English Teacher – Chosun Sports).
Dr. Yu, they instituted a drug test that tests for drugs that no foreign teacher had been arrested for in the three years prior to the new tests. Why? Why test for a drug nobody gets arrested for?
Your government guarantees me the right to be free from discrimination, yet I have to take a drug test if I teach at a hagwon…unless I'm married to a Korean, or am Korean American. They don't even have to do criminal checks. That's why it hurts…because it isn't equal, and the inequality is based on racism and xenophobia.
6:31 pm on February 8th, 2009 20
The Hangul didn't post…email me at media@atek.or.kr if you'd like the titles in Hangul. I'll even send you links to the articles.
6:33 pm on February 8th, 2009 21
xXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx
The Hangul didn't post…email me at media@atek.or.kr if you'd like the titles in Hangul. I'll even send you links to the articles.
xXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx
Also its telling me this comment is a duplicate of the last one, so I'm inserting extra characters to fool the filter.
6:33 pm on February 8th, 2009 22
D'oh!
9:39 pm on February 8th, 2009 23
Has anyone ever had the experience of getting a Visa to the US?
It takes soooo much more effort, cost, and time than what the Korea system entails.
To get a simple fiance Visa to the US, you have to get a full health check to include x-rays, conduct an interview, and provide proof of the relationship.
Talk about jumping through hoops!
I think Americans of hypocrites in this way, wanting things easier for them cuz "Hey – I;'m an American" mentality while the fence around the USA is very very hard to get through.
10:33 pm on February 8th, 2009 24
@ 18
Oh, please!"…the fence around the USA is very very hard to get through." Tell it to all the illegal aliens residing in America. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say it’s more difficult to get through the fence 'legally.' I went through all those hardships with the U.S. embassy in Seoul, Anoyms. Your ‘generalization’ about Americans being hypocrites is unfair.
12:07 am on February 9th, 2009 25
Anoyms,
Weak! This is not an American issue. It never was. Dr. Yu made it seem that way by comparing everything to the US.
9:20 am on February 9th, 2009 26
You should consider yourself lucky, in Japan 4th generation Koreans are not allowed to work as school teachers because they are still considered foreigners. Just give the government the papers, get your money and enjoy Korea.
Don’t be fooled by this ATEK trolls, foreigners engaging in political activity are considered subversives everywhere (even in western countries). The only thing you will achieve is deportation.
9:21 am on February 9th, 2009 27
Sorry. I mentioned USA just for reference.
9:39 am on February 9th, 2009 28
"Dr. Yu, they instituted a drug test that tests for drugs that no foreign teacher had been arrested for in the three years prior to the new tests. Why? Why test for a drug nobody gets arrested for"
This mean that the korean police is doing a good job and now with the drug test this situation will last longer. This is also good for the image of no addicted foreigners since they won´t be associated with drugs anymore.
"Your government guarantees me the right to be free from discrimination, yet I have to take a drug test if I teach at a hagwon…unless I’m married to a Korean, or am Korean American. They don’t even have to do criminal checks. That’s why it hurts…because it isn’t equal, and the inequality is based on racism and xenophobia."
It has nothing to do xenophobia, but maybe a way to direct the law to the singles since statistically they are more problematic than the married foreigners.
10:00 am on February 9th, 2009 29
“Don’t be fooled by this ATEK trolls, foreigners engaging in political activity are considered subversives everywhere (even in western countries). The only thing you will achieve is deportation.”
This comment begs a number of questions: Who is to be considered an ‘ATEK troll’? Are these people really to be labelled ‘subversives’? Do western countries really view such people as ‘subversives’?
Finally, it seems strange that you would draw a comparison with the Japanese, Dr. Yu. Lucky, huh?
11:00 am on February 9th, 2009 30
Subversives? They are not trying to overthrow the government here. They just want more lax immigration because the requirements appear to be based on racism and unfounded fear. If they new requirements were based on facts, then I would fully support them as well, but that's just not the case.
I'd say the Japanese thing is just another poorly chosen example, IN SEOUL. Dr. You certainly wouldn't be suggesting that this is some misplaced vendetta.
1:57 pm on February 9th, 2009 31
1. Korean permanent residents of Japan can and do teach in private schools where the medium of instruction is in Korean.
2. Who are 4th generation Koreans? Many ethnic Koreans are naturalized Japanese citizens and thus eligible to become public school teachers.
I would guess that in most countries, only citizens are permitted to take up PERMANENT, full-time mployment as public school teachers. In the US, tenure-track teaching positions are open to US citizens only although some schools like mine hire visiting international teachers on three-year contracts. They enjoy the same salaries and benefits as US teachers.
2:02 pm on February 9th, 2009 32
Excellent point, Sonagi.
3:18 pm on February 9th, 2009 33
Be very careful of this Tony Hellman and ATEK. They are not what you think they are.
3:22 pm on February 9th, 2009 34
ATEK is not run by Americans. Its run by the lesser important English speakers. Their tactics should worry those who are concerned about human rights.
3:30 pm on February 9th, 2009 35
Could you be a little more specific ATEK-Watch; your comments seem a little vague and 'mysterious.'
4:07 pm on February 9th, 2009 36
There is no "lesser" English speaking nation or people. Stop trying to get things stirred up between Americans other non-American native speakers.
Could you please explain which human rights are being infringed upon again…
4:09 pm on February 9th, 2009 37
I like the quotes around mysterious. It made me want to listen to She's Like the Wind.
5:55 pm on February 9th, 2009 38
I'm still of the same mind-set as my original comment, but…I can understand being upset that ethnic Koreans wanting to work in Korea do not have to go through the same health and criminal checks as non-Korean immigrants.
2:07 pm on February 10th, 2009 39
I find it very interesting that ATEK is only concerned w/how the immigration standards are being applied not about the actual teachers.
Having taught here for the past 12 years, I have no problems w/ the background checks nor the medical check ups. This is a a part of the requirement to work here and can be found in others areas affecting Korean Nationals. For example if you are working in a service industry (such as coffee shop/fast food) you are required to have medical evaluations every six month to include checks for major STD's. Additionally if you work in a Kindergarten you are also required to have annual medical checks.
Having said that, I think this organization is trying to change government instead of changing the perception of various types of "teachers" in Korea. It's like putting a band aid on an open stomach wound. Why is it not mentioned on the website about increasing the quality of the teachers, ensuring that they are qualified to teach, not just being a person from a native country?
Ultimately I have chosen not to align myself w/ the organization because I feel that it is trying to get media attention and not change the culture of "teachers" of Korea.
2:41 pm on February 10th, 2009 40
@27
What is your proposal for increasing the quality of foreign English teachers in Korea? The private institutes will take what they can get because the pickings are too slim. Although there are many highly qualified teachers in Korea, many will not come to Korea because the salary, benefits and working conditions are better in their home country. Do you propose the Koreans increase the salaries, benefits and working conditions? For your information, I have no vested interest in what you propose because I neither teach in a public school nor a private institute.
5:21 pm on February 10th, 2009 41
Changing the perception about English teachers? How about doing it with a bunch of new requirements that weed out all of the drug addicted, STD infected, sex criminals?
Wait, they tried that. Has the perception changed?
9:35 pm on February 10th, 2009 42
In Seoul is correct. You get what you pay for. Japan and the UAE can attract teachers who are qualified to teach in their home countries because the pay and benefits are competitive. Foreign teacher salaries in Korea are equivalent to entry level salaries in poorer districts and states in the US. Income taxes are lower in Korea, but work experience in a Korean school isn't counted by most US districts in calculating tenure, salary, or retirement years earned.
9:26 am on February 11th, 2009 43
I get what your trying to say, but my point was that an organization was being formed to protect/enhance the reputation of English Teachers in Korea. This attempt is being only focused on how the government is deciding to enforce it's immigration standards. If ATEK wanted to go along way towards good will then why don't they create a true assesment matrix of who should be able to join the group. According to their website they have 20,000 members. I guess they would classify anyone that speaks English as a teacher.
11:26 am on February 11th, 2009 44
I've been out of the ESL industry for a long time now, but I think this still holds true: If someone wants to do something about bettering the reputation of the language instructors, it should be the government going after hakwon owners and other ESL managers.
Unless things have changed drastically over the last few years, Korea gets the quality of instructors it has asked for by allowing the ESL environment to be such a cesspool. The government should crack down on schools that break labor laws, have a much better system by which immigrant/migrant teachers can have grievances heard, and change the visa status to allow instructors to change jobs without having to get a release letter and leave the country to get a new visa.
12:00 pm on February 11th, 2009 45
I have to agree with Ethyr 2001.
When it comes to benefits a bunch of english teachers want to be treated like the Korean teachers, but when it comes to commitment to their profession, they just want to be treated like foreigners.
I also agree that foreign teachers need an organization to look after them, but immigration matter is not their only problem in Korea. If they want to be respected as real professionals they should show commitment with their job and an organization like ATEK would be the perfect tool for that end, but …..
Regarding what sonagi said about getting what you pay for, does it mean that the quality of english teachers in Korea is poor? Than I think korean immigration is doing a good job by putting restrictions. Korean money may be not be as good as Japanese or German money but it is still a good money, and despite of that I know that there are still a lot of people willing to come to Korea to do the most of their time here by earning a good (and fair) money and having the chance to experience life in a different culture, and I think checking their criminal record and health and drug check is a good way to find these people.
It is the desire of every parent to have their kids cared by serious and trustworthy professionals, even in Korea.
1:04 pm on February 11th, 2009 46
Qualified teachers from English-speaking countries can experience a different culture in Japan or the UAE AND make more money.
Immigration is a privilege, not a right. Korea, the US, or any other country is free to enforce whatever regulations it deems suitable for visa applicants. Even before Korea required non-ethnic Korean foreign teachers to submit medical exam results and criminal background checks, the country could not attract enough credentialed, experienced teachers to meet demand. Only 40% of foreign teachers working in Korean K-12 schools have relevant degrees from a college of education or department of English. Not all of those 40% have teaching licenses from their home countries. Most have little or no actual K-12 teaching experience in their home countries. It takes 3 years to get tenure or a continuing contract in the US. A tenured teacher is not going to give up a permanent position with retirement benefits to teach in Korea.
2:05 pm on February 11th, 2009 47
Do you currently have a child in the Korean public school system, Dr. Yu? I do! So let’s put aside the “us Koreans” and “you foreigners” thinking. I have just as much at stake in the quality of these teachers as you. I and many others are not complaining about Korean regulations per se. The concern, once again, lies with the motivation behind the implementation of laws that are implemented in such a way that other persons are except for no apparent reason other than the fact that they are not married to a Korean national or are not ethnically Korean. And if you were to say that others countries do the same thing, I would simply say, “Two wrongs do not make a right.”
5:32 pm on February 11th, 2009 48
Korea's ESL market is – like I said – a cesspool. I have no problem with health and criminal checks for any immigrant visas, but when it comes to increasing the quality of language instructors coming in, the place to start is regulation of the owners and managers.
Korean ESL employers treat their staff like slaves, because they know it is difficult for teachers to legally change jobs and avoid trouble with the immigration authorities if the teachers find that their boss is a thief and a tyrant. Korea's ESL market has earned the rotten reputation it has on the internet, and until the government actively regulates the industry, Korea will continue to attract less qualified people than Japan or elsewhere.
And it will take active government interference to make this happen – because – hakwon owners are happy enough with the way things are: they don't really care about the education of the students, they just want money, and if it is cheaper for them to fake a diploma and hire a non-college graduate to fill a slot for a few months or a year (depending on when the instructor will decide to flee), they will do it. It isn't difficult for them to recruit that kind of instructor.
6:04 pm on February 11th, 2009 49
So true, USINKOREA.
5:19 am on June 21st, 2009 50
Dr. Yu
You're a racist.
End of Story