Legal Matters

Foreigners' Human Rights Center

Written by dvm Wednesday, 18 November 2009 00:46

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First 2yrs of tax goes to 'home' country

Written by dvm Friday, 11 September 2009 16:23

"Article 20 of the Korean Tax Code states: "An individual who is a resident of a contracting State and who, at the invitation of any university, college, or other recognized educational institution, visits the other contracting State for a period not exceeding two years solely for the purpose of teaching, or research or both at such educational institution shall be taxable only in the first mentioned State on his remuneration for such teaching or research."

So, if your institute withholds income tax, it is required to pay a refund.

Caviat: Korea has different tax agreements with different countries. Please sent pertinent info to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Deduction Deception

Written by dvm Friday, 11 September 2009 15:39

Here is an excerpt from an e-mail discussion I had with a friend:

This is what I managed to find out.
There are apparently two ways of paying tax:

1. Pay your full tax on a monthly basis, which works out to be about 100,000 won per month, give or take a little depending on income.

2. Pay a minimum (read nominal) amount of tax every month and then hand in your tax return at the end of the fiscal year, which is what my scared employer has now decided to allow me to do. This option works out to 16,000 won per month. I then have to hand in a tax return with all my income and expenditure. The tax office will then decide whether I still owe them something (the maximum amount would be the amount paid in the first option) or whether I'm ok and don't have to pay anything on top.

Having scared the living daylights out of my employer he now went for the safe option, i.e. I can now handle all my tax issues directly with the tax office and he only deducts the 'nominal' amount. But what a bastard, eh?! And he tried the same trick on several others, i.e. subtracting 15% on our income as tax, when, in fact, the 15% deductions are PENSION + HEALTH INSURANCE + UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE + INCOME TAX. Nice try!"

Whether by ignorance or corruption, it it not outlandish to estimate that more than 80% of employers, including 'government' jobs, are not properly deducting and paying your legally required deductions. You need to be clear with your employer on these things. If everyone gently and firmly demands this, we will send two strong messages: 1. we are legit and want to do what is required by Korean law; 2. we are not here to be fleeced, bullied, or presumed ignorant.  If someone is not afraid to break the law against you, you have no reason to fear speaking up.

 

National Pension Service - Jeonju

Written by dvm Friday, 11 September 2009 15:08

국민연금
063-270-5361
http://www.nps4u.or.kr/

MAP

Tax Office in Jeonju

Written by dvm Friday, 11 September 2009 14:29

Jinbuk 2-dong 416-11 Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si Jeollabuk-do(561-162)

063-250-0200 (Korean)

MAP See NTS page.

No such thing as a free lunch?

Written by dvm Friday, 11 September 2009 14:13

Your Lunch Hour is Yours
Good news for elementary school teachers who have been told that they cannot leave school grounds during lunch period: the law is on your side! The Labor Standards Act provides that workers may use their recess hours "freely."

-ATEK

From ATEK:

Written by dvm Monday, 07 September 2009 01:54

2009-08-21 

Good News for Teacher Rights
Our campaign is getting results. It appears that the National Human Rights Commission has recognized that requiring HIV tests from teachers is discriminatory. Our individual claims are being closed so that a major, comprehensive case can be opened by the Human Rights Policy Division of the NHRCK. The Commission is clearly aware that there are serious problems with the E-2 visa application process.

Your Lunch Hour is Yours
Good news for elementary school teachers who have been told that they cannot leave school grounds during lunch period: the law is on your side! The Labor Standards Act provides that workers may use their recess hours "freely."

Words of Wisdom

Written by admin Thursday, 16 April 2009 15:05

Labor Board

Written by admin Thursday, 16 April 2009 15:03

Jeonju District Office of Gwangju Regional Labor Board

78 Sindeok-1 gil Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do 063-240-3400

Extent of Jurisdiction : Jeollabuk-do Jeonju-si, Namwon-si, Jeongeup-si, Jangsu-gun, Imsil-gun, Sunchang-gun, Wanju-gun, Jinan-gun, Muju-gun

The building is called Gwangju jibangnodongcheong Jeonjujicheong, so I suppose this could also be used as taxi directions.

Ministry of Labor english.molab.go.kr/

According to the FAQ section on the Ministry of Labor's website, "Employers should pay wages to their workers once or more per month on a fixed day regularly. Any violation of this will be punished by imprisonment of up to three years or fine not exceeding 20 million won. - Therefore, if your employer fails to pay wages, please resolve the problem by filing your complaint with the regional labor office having jurisdiction over the area where your workplace is located." (i.e. the above address)

« Thanks Alyson »

New Immigration Laws

Written by admin Thursday, 16 April 2009 15:03

You will need an Apostille for the documents. For that you can go to apostilla.com and have it done from your home country. The fee in America is $200.00 and they will take care of it through the Korean embassy.

This was sent in by my friend Don: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Canadians!

Written by admin Thursday, 16 April 2009 15:02

Here is a link that Canadians should register with, so the embassy can be in contact with them or family in case of an emergancy. It does not go to Student Loan people, Revenue Canada....

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