Still waiting for the Korea Times to check its facts . . . guess that makes sense as Korea also hasn't completely frozen over yet either

This morning I saw this "news" article, and I decided to send a little email--usually I ignore the middle school level of journalism that the KT prides itself on using.

Hi,

There is an error in your article, Foreign Teachers Fight 'Discrimination'.

In your first sentence you say that ATEK is "An association for 20,000 foreign English teachers . . ."--this is NOT TRUE.

ATEK does NOT have 20 000 foreign teacher members.

If you did research on this topic, and checked your facts, you would know that ATEK has around 200 members. See this link for the FACT,

http://atek.or.kr/index.php/atek-overview

How many members do you have?

ATEK has not yet started its membership drive, but through word-of-mouth we have over 200 prospective members. That isn't near enough, and has come primarily through our exposure on the internet and in the media. Once we start our membership drive, we expect those numbers to increase dramatically.

Please write responsible news with verified facts. Do not combine two different facts: 1) ATEK is fighting discrimination 2) There are 20 000 foreign teachers in Korea

These two facts do NOT mean that the association has 20 000 members.

Again, please correct the error in your article.

Thank you,
Jason Ryan

I didn't even bother trying to write them an email pointing out the gross inaccuracy of this thought, "indicating they will step up their crusade against proposed legislation requiring them to submit drug tests and criminal background checks." Again, the vast majority of foreign/expat English teachers don't have a problem with the medical tests and criminal background checks--the problem we have is with the process itself, and the fact that it's NOT US COMMITTING THE CRIMES!!!

The funny thing about all of this is that some foreign/expat teachers still believe this sort of scenario is possible,

I imagine in the above cartoon the devil would be saying, "Really? LOL!!! Say it again, you want “equal rights and treatment under the law”? Where exactly do you think you are?"


I think that some change is possible--but equality for 'seasonal migrant workers' aka foreign English teachers in Korea (if it ever happens) will be something that happens in about 25-50 years . . . there are more fundamental issues of equality that need to be addressed in Korean society and culture before our agenda can even come close to being fulfilled.

Before much of anything can change the most fundamental issue Korean society faces is achieving a living socio-cultural environment where the Rule of Law is in effect. It's that simple. We can change and educate people until the mad cows disappear--but without the legal system enforcing the rules on the books there are no consequences . . . 'nuff said.

I just tried to Google "How many foreign English teachers are in Korea?" in different variations and can't find the actual number for 2008--anybody know? Anyways . . . I'm hungry--time to stop wasting brain cells on this.

J