Koreabridge Job Advice Forums

kittykat · member Joined: 30 Jun 2007 Posts: 37 Location: Seoul

www.kftra.co.kr

as i type this a friend is looking up what's being said about me; the recruiter who was kind enough to let me know my name is there said he didn't know how one got their name removed and apparently people can post without signing off as to who they are.

what a cowardly bunch of %#@!!&*&**!!!

and of course my name is not the only one!!

kittykat

johnhenry · EFL Superstar Joined: 25 Sep 2006 Posts: 1293

I think the way to get your name removed is to sue the bums. Either that or to notify the Prosecutor's Office of the bums breaking the law.

Most definitely notify that reporter at the Korea Herald about it. I think his name's Gelkin.

Check the "freeboard" on that association's website. One person, apparently Korean, posted an opinion in English about the hagweon owners being the actual problem and got blasted--in Korean, of course--for it: "Why are you bitter against Korea?" Another poster, using the moniker lawyer, stated that the blacklist is "highly illegal under Korean law" and that "all the teachers named on it should consider legal action."

half-snapped · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:24 am Post subject:

Bozo Yoroshiku · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:59 am Post subject:

johnhenry · EFL Superstar Joined: 25 Sep 2006 Posts: 1293

You're right, Boz. Those clowns get away with it because they know nobody has the money to force them to stop. Did you look at some of the so-called reasons provided for being on that blacklist? "I had a feeling from the first day, this teacher would not be sincere and after eight months I was proven correct when they left without notice." That's the gist of one. Of course the blacklister doesn't think that maybe he was the real reason the teacher left. It's always the fault of the insincere foreigner.

kittykat · member Joined: 30 Jun 2007 Posts: 37 Location: Seoul

update:

i called immi today (Seoul) and the counselor i spoke with appeared surprised to hear about this. i explained to him i wanted to know if, indeed, immi also had such a list - he sounded so surprised, so sincere i do believe his answer - no, they don't.

i said i was worried because i was looking for another job - he said not to as long as everything else was in order.

he wanted to know the name of the site - i'm honestly wondering if i should take this to immi with a printout from the website

those of you who say make a formal complaint - i will certainly do so if someone could provide details as to how and where to go - the immi office is the only one i know of.

dg611b · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 4:09 pm Post subject:

There are a couple places where you can go if you feel your rights are being trampled and you don't have the money for a lawyer.

1. The Human Rights Commission - they have lawyers who handle cases like this. I guess it is in the same vein as the ACLU. http://www.humanrights.go.kr/eng/index.jsp

2. there is a lawyers group that handles cases pro bono but i'm sorry i couldn't find the name...i thought it was ALAK. If anyone out there knows it...post it...if not...i get back to it.
_________________
The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.
Marcus Aurelius (121-180 A.D.)

Bozo Yoroshiku · Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 4:43 pm Post subject:

kittykat · member Joined: 30 Jun 2007 Posts: 37 Location: Seoul

ok i found it - here's the KLAC

http://www.klac.or.kr/english/cyber/01.php

they also have a number "132" one can dial from anywhere in korea

and the NHRC (national human rights commission) of korea

http://www.humanrights.go.kr/eng/nhrc/intro/nhrc01_01.htm

i will go to both these places and see what can be done, if anything, and post and update later this week.

kittykat · member Joined: 30 Jun 2007 Posts: 37 Location: Seoul

update:

the legal aid people don't have anyone to speak english on hand; i went to the one in gangnam; there are 3 other offices, it might be different there but i can definitely tell you there are lawyers there, they were very nice (sincerely) but they just don't have interpreters.

it's been recommended i go to the seoul bar asso on monday afternoons, they have an english interpreter there from 2-5 p.m.

*****

the korean human rights commission has an intake clerk who is pretty fluent, even the complain form is in engish

however, it was like pulling teeth to get her to file the complaint and she kept telling me to expect it to be rejected, whatever.

she said it would have been much better if i'd been beaten by a cop; right...

i'll post again next week after i go to the seoul bar asso

rothko1973 · Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 11:32 am Post subject:

Just disregard it,it's a nothing site.

They don't even have that many people on it.

dg611b · Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 3:08 pm Post subject:

Any situation like this it may be difficult to find an English speaking Korean who would be willing to go with you and discuss your case. It is a complicated and lengthy matter that many would not want to get involved in. However, in these types of cases, it is imperative the you find someone who speaks English that would be willing to help you. Even if you have to call the 'free translation service" and have someone explain your case by phone....or write a one page letter laying down the facts of your case and having someone (even a professional translator paid) to translate it so you can give it to KLAC or HRC.

Second bit of advice: In Korea, NEVER NEVER NEVER take the word of the first person you speak to. If they say it is impossible then ask to speak to their supervisor and go from there. Write the letters, make the phone calls, send the emails to make it happen. Don't give up by the first person's word....they usually don't know **** and just want to get rid of the riffraff that make them have to actually do something.
_________________
The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.
Marcus Aurelius (121-180 A.D.)

kittykat · member Joined: 30 Jun 2007 Posts: 37 Location: Seoul

update

i went to the korea bar assoc on monday afternoon - they have an english interpreter there from 2-5 pm on mondays - she was very very nice, very sincere

the lawyer was adamant i sue and he wanted me to sue right then and there!! he wanted to sue the school and the website - !! wow i was so impressed but i told him i was worried it could affect me getting a new visa

so we talked some more and he had his asst call the website owner - well, they just laughed and didn't take it serious that anyone would actually sue!!

in the end, he convinced them tho, i don't know what exactly was said (obviously) but my name is no longer on the site.

but it's not over yet, there are SO MANY teachers' names on there - i can't imagine why some koreans think this is ok - it's NOT!! it's so totally bullsh*t

i really hope more people hear about this so this guy has to take the website down, it's really ugly.

oh by the way, if i had let the lawyer sue, i wouldn't have had to pay anything (really!) so it's definitely worth it to go there if you have a serious problem.

seoul bar asso, mondays from 2-5; seocho station line 2; exit num 8, go straight take first (almost immediate) left, go about 30 meters, on the right there's a large stone building which is on the corner, the entrance is around the corner and actually says "Seoul Bar Assoc." in english.

pusanvirgin · EFL Superstar Joined: 24 Sep 2006 Posts: 1097

This blacklist has been on the go for a while. Does anyone take it seriously though? I doubt many do...

half-snapped · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 9:12 pm Post subject:

Someone does, otherwise they wouldn't be keeping it going.
_________________
The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain,
for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the
virtuous.

Bozo Yoroshiku · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 10:06 pm Post subject:

dg611b · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 10:55 am Post subject:

I agree, I wish you would have done it. If anyone else winds up on that list and they read this. Even if you are guilty of whatever it is they say you did...you can STILL sue them....truth is not a defense for libel in Korea. The only way these things get taken down is if someone goes the distance with them and unfortunately it has to be someone who is wronged....(if not, I would do it myself just for the sheer fun of watching them squirm...not to mention the amount of money they would have to spend in lawyers to defend and then pay the damages.)

BOZ...the information about this place should be placed in the FAQ section if there is one!! So the next time someone comes here looking for some help with a blacklist they can find out where to go.
I'm gonna post it on my blog too.
http://fenceriderkorea.blogspot.com
_________________
The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.
Marcus Aurelius (121-180 A.D.)

half-snapped · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:15 pm Post subject:

That site has been up for a while, postings there from a year and a half ago. KK, you were probably the first person to call and force them with the threat of legal action to remove your name.

I see that a few of the blacklisted teachers have their ARC number and passport number posted along with the reason they were blacklisted. I doubt that any of them are aware of this blacklist, nor the fact that their personal information is made public via that site.
_________________
The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain,
for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the
virtuous.

Bozo Yoroshiku · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:00 pm Post subject:

half-snapped · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:26 pm Post subject:

pusanvirgin · EFL Superstar Joined: 24 Sep 2006 Posts: 1097