Legal Problems

Payments to National Pension

We receive complaints from Americans who came to Korea to teach English under contract with promises of generous salaries, bonuses and other amenities, only to find themselves in tenuous situations.

The Embassy cannot enter into private disputes between U.S. citizens and their employers, nor act as your lawyer in legal or contractual disputes. There are, however, several sources of help you may call on.

 

Seoul Education Teachers Center #1-27 Sajik-Dong, Chongro-Gu Seoul Tel: 730-7663/5 Fax: 722-3568

 

 

Social Education Department Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education #2-77 Shinmunroh, 2-ka, Chongno-Gu Seoul, Korea Tel: 399-9243 or 736-3219 Fax: 399-9115

The Seoul Metropolitan Office will direct its regional office to issue a warning or make a visit to the institute in question to determine the correct action to be taken. Your grievance should be reported prior to departure from Korea.

 

National Pension

A common source of concern is payments to Korea's National Pension fund, similar to Social Security in the U.S. Follow this link to learn more about how the system works in Korea (on the main page is a link to an abbreviated version of the site in English), or call the general affairs department of the National Pension at 02-2285-2618.

 

Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Education also has a division that handles contract complaints, however, they do not get involved in corrective action and usually can only issue an official letter directing the institute to observe the terms of the contract. Their address is:

 

Non-Formal Education Planning Section Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education 2-77 Shinmoon-ro, 2-ka, Chongno-Gu Seoul, Korea Tel: 399-9377, 399-9378 Fax: 399-9093

If you are not in Seoul, you should direct your complaint to the Social Education Department of the Provincial Board of Education in the Province where you work.

 

Other Organizations

 

Seoul Bar Association Legal Center for Foreign Workers 1718-1 Seocho-dong, Seocho-Gu Seoul, Korea Tel:3476-6000/3476-0986 Fax: 3476-8094 or 3476-8095

Free Legal Assistance 1st floor, Legal Center Tel: 3476-8080

English speaking consultants are available Mondays and Thursdays from 1:00-5:00.

 

International Cooperation Division Ministry of Labor Tel: 504-7338 Fax: 507-4755

 

 

Foreign Worker's Council 27-2 Jo-dong, 1-ga, Chung-Gu Seoul, Korea Tel: 779-2049 Fax: 773-2627

 

 

Korea Legal Aid Corp 1703-10 Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu Seoul, Korea Tel: 536-5577

 

 

Seoul YMCA Tel:(02) 733-3181, 734-3904 Lawyers are available for consultations from 10:00 to 4:00

 

We also have additional information on legal problems in Korea, as well as a list of attorneys you can contact.

 

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For American Citizen Services (ACS) inquiries, please e-mail us at: seoul_acs@state.gov.

The basic information on American Citizen Services may also be obtained by calling 02-397-4114. Our FAX number is 02-397-4101.

This is an official U.S. Government source for information on the WWW. Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links or information does not imply endorsement of contents.

The U.S. Embassy is closed on both U.S. and Korean holidays.

Updated November 14, 2001