What to do if you have a bad hogwon?

My British friend is stuck in a bad hogwon. They haven't paid her (she's been there 7 weeks), they are going to open up an illegal bank account for her tomorrow, and she doesn't have an alien registration number (they don't want to give her one). She has another job lined up, but she needs a release letter. Her boss is very mean. How can she get a release letter?

She says she has a work visa, but why would they not give her an alien registration card?

This is an ugly situation. This is what I would do.

1) Get paid and take out all of the money. Make sure it's all there. If it's not ask for it immediately. The boss might try to short her.

Has the hogwon owner done anything wrong besides not paying her? If she has a work visa through this hogwon, the only way to get a release letter is through the boss of this hogwon. And it sounds like the boss isn't going to want to do it. The next step would be number 2 assuming she does have a work visa with this hogwon. The next step would be number 3 assuming she does not have a work visa with this hogwon.

2) If it's unbearable to continue at this hogwon and the boss won't give a release letter, I would leave Korea. File a formal complaint with the Korean Labor Board before you go. You won't be able to work in Korea legally, so I'd take a look at my options in Japan or Taiwan. Then come back to Korea after that if she still desires it.

3) If she doesn't have a work visa at the current hogwon, do step #1 and then have all of your belongings ready for a midnight dash. But, still this is not all great because the E-2 visa regulations have changed so she will have to go back to England to get issued a work visa. It can't be done in Japan now. Try to get the other company with the job lined up to assist with getting a work visa.

I know it's too late to advise this now, but you really need to do your homework before you lock into a contract in Korea.

Not sure what a hogwon is, sorry. Is that like being stuck between a rock and a hard place? Up a creek without a paddle?

You quit and find a good one. There are plenty out there.

Does she have the work visa or not? Chances are she doesn't due to her boss refusing to allow her an ARC. This means she can leave that hogwan whenever she wants. A letter of release is not necessary when she doesn't have a work visa. Have your friend wait for the money to get tranferred into her account then instantly widthdraw every single penny. After which, move everything out of her apartment and go look for a new job. Which out a work visa the employer can't touch her.

Also make sure her gets all her documents back from her boss. Some hogwan directors like to keep the for 'safe keeping".


Good luck