An American English teacher who fled Korea in 2010 after being accused of molesting four boys in Daegu has been extradited to Korea.
Welcome back to Korea
Previous post: No sundae making for the Muslims: human rights watchdog
Next post: Funny, Koreans don’t look Jewish…
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
IANAL, but sounds like the kind of crime that in Korea could have resulted in financial damages and no jail time. Does this dude’s flight and extradition mean that the U.S. can put him on a permanent sex offender registry when he presumably returns?
Forgot to add: I sure hope so.
Something tells me that after the shooting in the US by a Korean national I won’t have to listen to any “blah, blah, blah … wayyy goook innn …. meee goook…. child molester” bullshit at my school.
#3 THAT is a very nasty comment. I’m sorry. How can one do that? Compare one tragedy in ‘favour’ of another? ” I mean seriously…
It’s completely beside the point and absolutely insensitive and out of place – whether it be the Korean children having been traumatised by a Korean or ET or the victims (who we still don’ know whether they are Korean or Caucasian) traumatised as a result of this guy going nuts in Oakland.
This is in bad taste and says more about you than about ETs or Koreans going off the rails in the US.
That’s just in your mind. Stop reading Korea related blogs that deal with processed news from Korean media, for few days, and then come back, you’ll feel much better.
I was talking about post #3.
“#3 THAT is a very nasty comment. I’m sorry. How can one do that? Compare one tragedy in ‘favour’ of another? ” I mean seriously…
It’s completely beside the point and absolutely insensitive and out of place – whether it be the Korean children having been traumatised by a Korean or ET or the victims (who we still don’ know whether they are Korean or Caucasian) traumatised as a result of this guy going nuts in Oakland.
This is in bad taste and says more about you than about ETs or Koreans going off the rails in the US.”
Cry me a river.
“That’s just in your mind. Stop reading Korea related blogs that deal with processed news from Korean media, for few days, and then come back, you’ll feel much better.”
I have an idiot Korean nationalist that sits directly behind me in the office… all he does is complain about English education and anything else he can come up with to put down foreigners working in the public school system. As I stated, glad I won’t have to listen to one of his rants about this. Ignoring him becomes tiring some days.
Dude i’ve lived for 6 years in the US of A the first 4 years i worked for a company that was mostly made of Europeans (and mostly Germans and Eastern Euros, my hatred for the eurotrash dates back to that wonderful time), then our firm got bought out by a larger American group and i worked elbow-to-elbow with many Americans.
Truth to be told i was treated with my fair shair of idiocy and ignorance: all the producers of the firm were referring to foreign countries (they inviariably never traveled abroad) as shitholes. They also repeated incessantly the lines of idiotic tv shows they watched the night before on tv and looked at me suspiciously cos i was not interested, ditto when i was openly yawning when the subject switched to football or some other obscure (for me) sport event.
Some guy, during a company family trip to the local Six Flags, showed sincere disbelief when i told him that in my country we have fairly large and modern amusement parks. That was coming from a guy who was wearing always the same 2 pair of khakis and brought lunch from home cos he had a wife and kids to support.
Now to cut a long story short living abroad generally involves having a large stackola of rotting shit bein’ thrown at you, you do your math: if you think the hassle of dealing with arrogant ajeosshi is not worth the benefits (whatever they may be) provided by life in Korea, pack your garbage and head back to the very solid economy, which is eagerly looking forward to 4 more years of shiny improvement, you hail from
“Now to cut a long story short”
Way too late for that.
“if you think the hassle of dealing with arrogant ajeosshi is not worth the benefits (whatever they may be) provided by life in Korea, pack your garbage and head back to the very solid economy, which is eagerly looking forward to 4 more years of shiny improvement, you hail from”
Been in Korea going on 8 years now. Don’t know where you got the idea I will be going home but that ain’t so. As I said, the silence will be nice. I think that was my original point.
Believe me i wasn’t under any impression you were planning to go back to your country any time soon, i was just suggesting that if you dislike Korea maybe you should.
Very few categories of people are more annoying than whiny immigrants: love it or leave it or at least STFU
Oh and concerning this now extradited douche: HANG ‘IM HIGH
“that if you dislike Korea maybe you should.”
I missed the point where I said I dislike Korea. Listening to a very unprofessional co-worker of any nationality spout his personal prejudices at work. Yeh, I hate that.
By the way, you don’t have to agree with me. And, I am not asking you to in any way, shape or form to . In fact, you could follow some of your own wisdom you so freely disperse and … STFU
Just saying
“Very few categories of people are more annoying than whiny immigrants: love it or leave it or at least STFU”
That’s very enlightened.
Very few categories of people are more annoying than whiny immigrants
You must be rather lacking in the imagination department, then.
The thing is your comments about Korea and Koreans tend to be negative and well i have to admit i find complaining about the country that feeds you a bit tasteless, especially bringing up a school shooting.
Ii hold a sales position with a joint venture controlled by a Korean SME, they’re good, smart people, offered me a nice package and i thank the Great Manitu every day they saved me from an ocean of shit.
I prefer to be grateful for what i am, instead of whining cos here and there i have to deal with some ajeosshi not exactly on the high end of the bell curve
Listen honestly i truly don’t care about what the English teaching lot consider enlightened, as i don’t care about the current Ny Times or Guardian stance on world affairs or whatever trend is ragin right now among miniscule income generatin’ liberal arts graduates
“The thing is your comments about Korea and Koreans tend to be negative …”
That is your opinion. And as I stated, you are entitled to it. I don’t agree with it but you are entitled to it. I generally find people who tell others to “STFU” (just because they don’t agree with your ranting) to be a bit negative as well. Something tells me you find yourself to be a breath of fresh air however.
And since as this event occurred in my own country (not Korea), I will comment on it if I please…thank ya very much.
Something tells me the anti American whine will be coming next…
LOL i’m actually appalled by my own mean streak and crankiness
Not from me…i just think people should really ponder all the different factors when they decide tolive abroad cos imho for the most part it is not worth the shit, particularly dealing with odious locals
YangachiBastardo said,
“Dude i’ve lived for 6 years in the US of A the first 4 years i worked for a company that was mostly made of Europeans (and mostly Germans and Eastern Euros, my hatred for the eurotrash dates back to that wonderful time), then our firm got bought out by a larger American group and i worked elbow-to-elbow with many Americans.
Truth to be told i was treated with my fair shair of idiocy and ignorance: ”
“well i have to admit i find complaining about the country that feeds you a bit tasteless,”
By the way…good to see you have changed your ways…I think (scratching head). “Idiots?” “Idiocy?” “Trash?” You sure know how to sugar coat your “compliments.”
Good on ya mate!
# 16 YangachiBastardo,
“The thing is your comments about Korea and Koreans tend to be negative and well i have to admit i find complaining about the country that feeds you a bit tasteless…”
You sure to exaggerate a lot. I doubt S. Korea is feeding him/her, do you think an employer is feeding him/her? I really have to disagree with you on the former and also disagree on the later. People feed themselves unless given assistance by the government.
#9 YangachiBastardo,
“i worked for a company that was mostly made of Europeans (and mostly Germans and Eastern Euros, my hatred for the eurotrash dates back to that wonderful time…”
It’s a good thing you don’t live in the US of A anymore because if you were in a fight with a German/European you could be punished further because of your self-admitted “hatred” toward them. Do most Koreans hate as easily as you?
“all the producers of the firm were referring to foreign countries (they inviariably never traveled abroad) as shitholes.”
How do Korean businessmen in Korea refer to foreigners in foreign countries before/during/after talking or attempting to do business with them?
“if you think the hassle of dealing with arrogant ajeosshi is not worth the benefits (whatever they may be) provided by life in Korea, pack your garbage and head back…wherever you hail from.”
That was original, never heard that one before!
“Some guy, during a company family trip to the local Six Flags, showed sincere disbelief when i told him that in my country we have fairly large and modern amusement parks. That was coming from a guy who was wearing always the same 2 pair of khakis and brought lunch from home cos he had a wife and kids to support.”
You should know many Americans don’t care much about what happens in the state next to them, do you really expect them to care or know about amusement parks in S. Korea? BTW, Obama has told Americans that all Korean students do is study, study, study. Hell you probably told that guy the same thing?
Since you were still surprised at his lack of knowledge on how Koreans entertain themselves, what does his clothes and how he eats got to do with anything? If he were to treat lunch like a ritual would you be happy? I’ve heard of very rich people wearing the same thing everyday to make life easier and less expensive, what’s wrong with that? Don’t Korean female bankers where the same uniform everyday and don’t Koreans ever bring their lunch to work?
# 11,
“Oh and concerning this now extradited douche: HANG ‘IM HIGH”
Where is the fairness in that when the only thing that usually happens to Korean teachers for sexually assaulting students is a slap on the wrist or a temporary suspension WITH pay?
If this “extradited douche” who probably got dong-chimed by his students at one point or other ought to be hung, what should happen to the Korean in the US of A?
Does anyone know if the students who claim to have been sexually assaulted by the “extradited douche” have to take the stand or will their statements be enough to convict the guilty before innocent?
jkitchstk @#21,
Korea is currently working to stiffen the punishment on child sex offenders.
But seriously, if you’re a foreigner working in Korea, you should know better.
Are you saying that “ddong-chim” is a form of sexual assault?
So, two guys walk into a bar…
This article says most Korean teachers never are punished for sex crimes against students as they buy their way out of the mess. That is according to stats compiled by Korean lawmakers. I guess Korean lawmakers are bitting the hand that feeds them by bringing this to light though. The foreign teacher should have the same opportunity…well, I guess time will tell.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/07/117_53165.html
In fairness, the article is two years old so let’s hope a few things have changed in the last couple of years.
# 5 “That’s just in your mind. Stop reading Korea related blogs that deal with processed news from Korean media, for few days, and then come back, you’ll feel much better.”
I don’t do that much ‘Korea related’ “processed news”. Most of the media outlets suppress the real information, irrespective of what continent one lives in – that’s just the way it is. Which is why I didn’t read too much about this shooting. If I were to gobble up everything that the ‘media’ spews out every day across the globe (I hope you DO realise that Korea is no exception to other countries) – I might as well shoot MYSELF in the head… It’s enough to have anyone half sober, go off slightly sideways…off the trolley.
What I don’t like and that was the point of my comment on Creo’s snide remark, was to make this about themselves not having to “put up” with some guy in their office behind their back ranting about ETs being extradited instead of just seeing it for what it is:
It’s ugly. And it doesn’t matter WHO gets affected. I wouldn’t want to be a parent of one of the abused children much less these children themselves, but the I ALSO wouldn’t want to be related to the guy who shot the people in the US.
It’s just ugly. And to make that about ‘yourself’ instead of what this does to people on both sides of the pacific, is what I consider insensitive and beside the point.
People are people, it doesn’t matter where or what and how it manifests itself. One person’ suffering is NOT alleviated by making it ‘less’ or ‘worse’ or just deflecting from it – full stop – by obsessing over your own ‘peace’ at work.
#7 “Cry me a river.”
So, you Creo, got Kleenex tissues then? You’d better have’ em stacked high. Know whadda I’m sayin’?
Yeh…I do. I am American. Call me cold hearted or just call me a casualty of my own culture. Folks get shot dead every day in my country. Last week we were all supposed to be crying over the kid with the “ice tea and skittles” who got shot and killed. It sucks but it happens every hour of every day in America. One reason I choose to no longer live in my own country.
I’d think the hassles of dealing with homophobia in Korea would outweigh the minuscule chance of being shot in the U.S.
I’m always amused by the lifers in Korea who claim the real reason they’ll never return to the U.S. is because it’s suh a violent and unsafe place. Gerry used to be the most prominent of these types, yet has done a 180 since coming home.
Hassles of dealing with homophobia? What homophobia? This is more appropriate for another thread but I got news for you…Koreans could really care less who is sleeping with who. When was the last time a Korean was killed over being gay? How many times does it occur in the US in the course of a year. Hmm…should I wear my pink or purple shirt to work tomorrow.
LOL
I don’t know the last time someone was killed in Korea for being gay, but I do know that you can live openly in the U.S., as opposed to remaining closeted in Korea. Or hiding in plain sight, I suppose.
Whatever floats your boat. Thank Ghod most gay men I know aren’t such fraidy cats.
#27 “Yeh…I do. I am American”.
Guess what? I figured as much…
#27 “Folks get shot dead every day in my country. It sucks but it happens every hour of every day in America. ”
‘Business as usual’, huh? Obsession is the middle by word of the US of Amnesia.
#27 “One reason I choose to no longer live in my own country.”
Good boy. At least you had to wits to move your backside to a place that’s more civilised (…) than your own backyard (so-to-speak).
BTW, I think America is a crazy place. Korea is whacky, too, but I’d rather choose Korea over the US. The US can no longer relate to anything what would be considered ‘normal’ (even if it sounds boring as hell). Everything is OTT over there – no wonder people go off – being insane seems to be a “normal” part of life there.
Like you say:
“It’s back to business, right? Who gives a ‘f***’? S*** happens! Tough! Get over it. Yaaaawwwn.
So, what’s for dinner?”
I’ll pass on the Kleenex this time, thank you.
# 22 jk6411,
“Are you saying that “ddong-chim” is a form of sexual assault?”
Stupidest question of the year nomination?
I’ll bite…Yes, but maybe not in S. Korea since being drunk can absolve anyone of anything.
Would you mind if I poke my fingers up your ass? I doubt you’d complain as you’d probably enjoy it aye? I wonder why only boys seem to enjoy doing it? Do Korean boys only poke their fingers up female teachers butts or do they do it to Korean male teachers butts too? What about Ajummas? Do Korean boys learn how to do this by doing it to their mothers?
I don’t know much about this Korean cultural behavior, please explain it to me?
Once I learned of this Korean cultural phenomenon, I got my children out fast. Butt-holes aren’t to be played with by just anyone, and if it’s the case in S. Korea why can’t a Waygook do it? How’s that saying go, do as the Romans do?
jkitch: so instead of being happy that finally some child molester may actually end up being treated harshly, you whine about the fact locals get away with a lenient punishment (which i’ll promptly recognise as indecent) and don’t allow waegooks to do the same.
Also you seem to equate an innocent child prank with an adult molesting his students or at the very least you seem to somewhat excuse him:
Please tell me i’m misunderstanding you or alternatively you’re some kind of satyrist
That didn’t quite work.
Anybody know how to include an image in a comment?
“Please tell me i’m misunderstanding you or alternatively you’re some kind of satyrist.”
Hm. Jonathan Swift with a panpipe?
JG29A @ 1 (and 2):
The short answer is “Yes.”
Under the DoJ’s “Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act” (SORNA), foreign convictions require sex offenders to be registered unless the foreign conviction “was not obtained with sufficient safeguards for fundamental fairness and due process for the accused.”
SORNA is federal, of course. Individual states may also choose to surpass SORNA’s minimum standards and register ALL foreign convictions for sex offenses regardless of the “fundamental fairness and due process” of the foreign conviction.
Presumably, Korea meets these standards.
DLB
So Micheal Jackson’s walking along a beach, and he stops in front of a lady sunbathing, blocking the sun from her. The lady looks up and says ‘Hey, can you get out of my sun?’.
/hides
“Listen honestly i truly don’t care about what the English teaching lot consider enlightened ”
I work for a multi-national industrial company based in Korea. Thank you very much.
It’s great that they pursued this. Hopefully it will serve as a warning to others, whatever their nationality, that Korean kids aren’t easy prey.
Good for you i’ll promptly admit the STFU wasn’t Nobel Prize material, to my very partial excuse i have to say Creo # 3 wasn’t exactly from the sharpest edge of town either.
On the other hand both # 27 and # 28 are interesting comments: i find low Asian crime rate alluring too, not because i fret over the chance of being a victim of assault but because it is discomforting and depressing being bombarded with crime news continously, it is something that long term can kinda poison your quality of life
You must log in to post a comment.