The Korean
Hagwon
 
Click on the first letter of the city you are searching. The Hagwons are listed by city and then in alphabetical order.

Be aware that some schools use more than one name. Please check alternate spelling e.g. P can sometimes be B, and G can be K etc. when people romanise Korean sounds.

A

Andong (4)

Bridge School

Director: Mr. Im
Contact Details: (tel) 054 859 0579

Goes under several other names and franchises including
Jungro M School Jung Chul English Junior School and Eastern. Contractual obligations in relation to accomodation, pay dates and vacations will not be kept. The director has little or no respect for Westerners. This is a poorly managed school with no interest in education. No teaching materials for native speakers are provided. Expect your pay to be docked if you decide to take your contractual vacation time. Extortionate amounts to cover utility bills (e.g.W400,000 for gas) have been taken from teachers salaries. Only partial severance pay.


Oh-Sung-Sik

Director:
Contact Details:

Do not expect to receive overtime pay.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


REI (Reformed English Institute)

Director: 'Monster'
Contact Details:

Probably the worst school around. The director has conned numerous teachers and owes millions to former employees. Do not expect your own apartment or any form of payment whatsoever. The Director is known as 'Monster' and has threatened, stolen from and even falsely accused one teacher of molesting a child in order to avoid paying him. If you are there already, get out now.
www.eslcafe.com/ jobinfo/asia/sefer.cgi?display:1081159477-76477.tx


Wonderland

Director: Mr. W
Contact Details:

Severance pay has been witheld from teachers on at least two occassions. Mr. W Has been sued successfully by a Korean teacher for failing to pay wages.
What else would you expect from the notorious Wonderland chain.


Ansan (1)

Brighton Junior English School

Director:
Contact Details: (address) 2nd Floor Brighton Ville, 717-5, 2-Dong, Sangrok-gu, Ansan-Si.

Poor accommodation with a complete lack of privacy. Do not expect your medical insurance or your pension contributions to be passed on.
Do not expect your final wages, or your contractual notice time to be honoured.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Anyang (1)

Yes Youngdo English School, Pyeongchon-dong

Director: (managers) Jonathan Hxx and BJ
Contact Details:

Complaints of rules being introduced after signing the contract. Teachers have in the past been asked to undergo blood toxicity tests. eports of abuse and the firing of teachers for petty reasons.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


B

Busan (10)

ESS Language Institute, Jung-gu

Director: Kim Jae-Il & Kim Tae-Kyun
Contact Details: (address) 38-1, Kwangbok-dong, Jung-gu, Busan (tel) 051 257-3355
(Fax) 051 241-1988  (web)
http://www.ess.co.kr (email) tk21vic@ess.co.kr (mob) 016 554-0515

Medical cover not paid. Inadequate accommodation which the teacher has to pay for. Money is withheld for vacations, and dubious deductions made. Overtime is not paid, and neither is severance.



JEL English School

Director: Wayne Lee
Contact Details: (address) 57-20 Yanson, 9 Dong, Yanjae-gu, Busan, 611089
(tel) 051-757-0582 (web)
www.englishtoday.org (email) jelbusan@yahoo.com

Teachers here were fired with short notice so that the director could save money. Compensation was not paid. Poor accommodation.



Like English/English Friends

Directors: Mrs.Gwhan/Mr.Park
Contact Details: (address) 910, Da-Dae 1 dong, Sa-ha, Busan

Also known as
Kingstone Language School. Holidays are not given, there are problems with housing and the directors have refused to pay final pay. The directors also tried to sell one teacher's apartment whilst he was still living in it.


Maple Leaf College, Namcheon-do


Director:
Contact Details:

Poor accommodation and treatment of teachers. Statutory notice not given. Expect to be fired unjustly.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


SBSi Kids

Director:
Contact Details:

Delays in pay and non-payment of some wages and original deposit. Tax, insurance and pension are taken from teachers' wages but are not paid.



Sae Kye Foreign Language Institution, Tongnae-Ku

Director:
Contact Details:

Horrible and unsafe living conditions, or a yogwan are provided. One teacher suffered concussion after part of the ceiling collapsed. No hot water, cooking facilities or drainage. No heating and an infestation problem.



Sajik Little Campus, Dong-nae

Director:
Contact Details: (address) Sajik 3-dong, Dongnae-gu 132-9 Pusan, Korea

Late payment, non-payment, no medical insurance (despite deductions) and a refusal to complete immigration formalities. Teachers reported being spied on by staff, and their apartment entered without their knowledge on numerous occassions. One story of a grand piano appearing in their living room and staying for several months against their wishes.



Sejong Hogwon, Yang Sun

Director:
Contact Details:

Don't expect an apartment. A teacher at this hagwon had to live with the director for 3 months, until he was moved into a dirty old hut with no toilet. The director then tried to charge W500,000 for a release letter.



Swaton

Director: Mrs Har. Owner: Kim Gwang-ju
Contact Details: Baek Yang Apte, Dang Gam Dong, Busan

Pay late if at all. The director failed to pay rent leading to two teachers having their utilities cut off.


YBM ECC, Keumjeong

Director: Bae Jae-Dong. Supervisor: Lisa
Contact Details: (address) Keumjeong 5f, Gichal Building, 24-6 Bugok-3-dong, Keumjeong, Busan, 609-817 (tel) 051 515 0509 (web) www.ybmecc.com (email) eun0304@hotmail.com


Contracts are subject to change after they are signed. Accommodation is not as promised, and is not properly maintained. Difficulties obtaining severance pay.


C

Chinju
(2)

Chicago Language Academy

Director:
Contact Details:

Less than half salary was paid to one teacher due to various, dubious deductions. Air-fare also wasn't paid.
The apartment provided lackedl furnishings.



English House

Director: Mr. Koo
Contact Details:

A teacher here was continually harassed by Mr. Koo until eventually being fired for refusing to go out drinking with him.


Cheonan
(4)

Chonan College - Chonan University

Director:
Contact Details:

A Christian University that tries to force staff to attend church, despite knowing they are of a different religion.
Claims of forgery of documents and other illegalities as well as under-payment and non-payment of wages.


Easy Foreign Language Institute (British Language International)

Director: Kim Mun-Su
Contact Details:

Mr. Kim tried to get staff to sign an agreement assuming financial liability for the failure of his business ventures.
He also had to be held back from punching an adult student who complained to him.



Kids Herald School

Director:
Contact Details:

Early firing of teachers to avoid severance. No statutory notice given. Breaches of contract.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


The Red Bank Institute

Director:
Contact Details:

The director is unlikely to respect the contract. Medical cover not provided. Do not expect a release letter.
Poor housing, and the school keeps tax contributions.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Cheongju
(3)

FSL (Fantastic Story Book)

Director: Mr. Son
Contact Details:

You may be harrassed, threatened and not paid if you work here. You will not get your airfare, and will get poor housing and furniture.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Oxford Language School

Director: Kim Min-Ok
Contact Details:

Also known as Segue Language School. A teacher here was housed next to a Soju bang, with which bathroom facilities were shared. Mr. Kim is believed to owe over 11 million won in backpay to former teachers.


Swaton Language School for Kids

Director:
Contact Details:

Do not expect to receive your full salary, health insurance or pension contribution.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Chunchon
(2)

BEST Language Institute

Director:
Contact Details:

The director ha physically and verbally abused foreign teaching staff. Return airfare and final pay not given to one teacher.



Sarah Han International English School

Director:
Contact Details: (address) Myong-dong, Chunchon, Kangwon Province.

This school doesn't pay severance to teachers and does not respect the labor laws.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Chungbuk
(1)

MIT Language Institute, Boeun-gun

Director:
Contact Details:

Formerly known as SEL Language Institute. Severance and airtickets are likely to be difficult to obtain. Expect to be fired for no reason and without statutory notice.
Sick days and holidaya are refused. Do not expect overtime pay.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Chungju
(1)

USA Jr. School

Director: Ji Yeong-ho
Contact Details: (address) ChungJu City, ChungCheong Buk Do Province (tel) 043 851-3831

Formerly known as
E-2. Pay is often extremely late (4 to 5 months). The director takes money to pay utilities, but then fails to pay them. The same is done with pension.


D

Deagu (12)

CERTO, Hayang

Director:
Contact Details:

This school doesn't give the last month's salary, pay for visa trips or pay on time. The statutory 30 days notice is not honored.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Dong-gu Castle Language School

Director: Mrs. Kim
Contact Details:

The contract is not honoured. No health insurance, agreed vacation time or sick days.
Unjust sackings to avoid severance, no airfare or statutory notice, and reports of forged signatures on unauthorised revisions to contracts.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


EWHA ALS, Seongseo

Director: Hilary No
Contact Details:

The director has made it very difficult for former teachers to work elsewhere, despite them parting with the school legally. Ms. No and her husband also liked to use one of the teacher's apartments for afternoon naps and showering despite obvious objections.



F.L.S and Dee Dim Dol, Su-sung gu

Director:
Contact Details:

These schools had their teachers working 48 hours a week, including Saturdays. They had no vacation and no severance. They were continually paid late and the school owes at least two teachers a total of over 8 million won.



JEL Language Institute

Director:
Contact Details:

Lower pay and more work than promised in the contract. Sick days are not honoured. One teacher was forced to work repeatedly despite needing medical attention for a serious injury.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Kids Club, Chimsandong

Director:
Contact Details: (web)
http://www.kidsclubdaegu.com/kids/index.htm

The owners also run
ECC in Buktaegu. Single housing stipulated in the contract, but shared housing provided. Accommodation is also of a very low standard. A teacher here was sacked for refusing to complete duties far exceeding contractual obligations. Final payment not made in full.



Kwak's English Academy

Director:
Contact Details:

Very poor accommodation. Expect to spend some of your stay at a yogwan.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Kwak's English School, Hwawon

Director:
Contact Details:

High teacher turn-over due to an aggressive director. Pay has been withheld on occasions for ambiguous reasons, and overtime is expected but not paid.



LCI Kids Club, Susung-gu

Director: Mr. Kwon
Contact Details:

This school does not file tax officially, but still makes deductions. No medical insurance is given.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


OJT Kindergarden

Director: Oh Jin-Teak
Contact Details:

A teacher here was not paid and not given the apartment as promised in the contract. It also took over three months to get health insurance. Many contract items were adjusted without teacher approvement.



Wonderland, Seong-so

Director:
Contact Details:

Sacked an employee for having too dark a skin then tried to get her to pay back her airfare.


Wonderland, Seo Deagu

Director:
Contact Details:

Teachers here have experienced an anti-American attitude from management, and were not paid fully. The school also refused to sign a release paper for the teachers.
http://www.prisonerofwonderland.com/november1.html


Daejeon (6)

BRYS Foreign Language Institute, Jong-lim-dong

Director: Kang In-chan (Bryan)
Contact Details:

Mr. Kang has been indicted in the USA for tax offenses, and is now running this hagwon. This school is blacklisted by the International TESOL Group due to Mr Kang's interference in the process of teachers obtaining their E-2 visas. Severance and air-fare money is not paid. There have been numerous breaches of the Labor Law at this institute. Accommodation is terrible, with one teacher contracting pneumonia due to poison fungus spores in an air vent. Late pay and no medical insurance.


Damoa Foreign Language Institute,, Wolpyong-dong

Director:
Contact Details:

Apparently, the contract teachers' sign before coming to Korea is regarded as 'invalid' by the management.
Expect problems with accommodation and receiving payment. Do not expect your services to be required for a full year.
Summary dismissals without payment are common here.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Ewha American Language School, Dunsan

Director:
Contact Details:

Overtime is not paid and large amounts of money have been withheld from teachers.
One teacher was asked for 2 million won in exhange for a release letter. Poor accommodation is provided.


Kalma Language School (KLS)

Director: Mr. Kang
Contact Details:

Some classes are not paid, breaching the contract. W300,000 is sometimes withheld from final pay for 'cleaning'.
Fines are given for trivial reasons eg. squeaky boardmarker, despite there being no provision for fines in the contract.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Little America, Manyondong

Director:
Contact Details:

Dubious deductions from teachers' wages have occurred here, as well as reports of abusive behavoiur towards staff.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Samil Language Institute

Director:
Contact Details:

Teachers were contracted out but not paid for the extra hours they worked. Over 18 teachers have been through this school in a year. Unsubstantiated deductions are taken out of teachers' wages.


G

Gumi (4)

CERTO

Director:
Contact Details:

Several teachers have not been paid, or only partially paid before leaving. An employee here was implicated in a fraud case due to a forgery committed by the director.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Che Yoon Hi Language School, Gumi

Director:
Contact Details:

Illegal contracting out occurs here, and teachers are expected to pay for their transportation between places of work. The full work terms are not explained before starting employment, and the contract is not honoured. Unauthorized deductions from teachers' wages amounting to about W120,000 a month are taken. Poor accommodation.


Eastern Language Academy

Director:
Contact details: (address)26B Sangmo-dong, Gumi, Korea 730-120

The director has been known to sack foreign teachers after 10 months to avoid paying severance pay.
The school held back over $2000 US in flight ticket and pay from a previous teacher.


Prime Language School

Director: Byeoung Ho
Contact Details:

Expect to be fired just before the end of your contract so that you will lose your bonus. Deductions from your salary will be taken, if you get it at all. Do not take on work here as a private as you will not get paid and will have no recourse.


Gwangju (1)

Princeton

Director: 'Joe'
Contact Details:

The director tried to bargain with a new teacher over the contractually agreed pay rate once he arrived. He was only willing to pay half salary for the first few months until the teacher had 'proved himself'. The teacher was also told he would not be starting work for another month for which he would not be paid.


I

Ilsan (5)

English Friends, Madu

Director: Lee  Kyo-hoon & Catherine Cho
Contact Details: (address) Madu Station nr. Kids Mall (tel) 017 220 5405

Also known as
ICI. Trying to change contracts after they're signed, paying up to 12 days late each month and refusing to pay for tickets home after completion of contract have all occurred here. Tax and medical deductions are not passed on. Large amounts of money are still outstanding to former teachers by way of severance, wages, overtime and vacation pay.


Oe Dae Institute

Director:
Contact Details:

Do not expect contractual agreements relating to accommodation or the age of students to be followed.
Expect to have to payback airfare and the recruiter's fee if you want to see your diploma again.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Pals Lab

Director:
Contact Details:

Teachers are expected to work for 2 hours extra without pay each day. Three weeks pay was not paid to one teacher.


SLP Ilsan

Director: Hong Jae-hwa
Contact Details:

A teacher was made to pay a million won bond when leaving on contractual emergency leave for a close relative's funeral.
W300,000 missing from one teacher's final payment, which the school are refusing to reimburse.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


YBM ECC Ilsan

Director:
Contact Details: (address) Jang-Hang Bldg 804, Madoo-Dong Ilsan

Expect to have a surprise W750,000 taken from your first paycheck as a 'deposit'. You may not receive overtime pay.

http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html



Incheon (7)

Daehak (Hamilton) Language Centre

Director:
Contact Details:

Very poor accommodation. Non-payment of salary, non-payment of medical insurance and non-payment of utilities despite deductions from teachers' salaries being made.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


ECC, Yeonsu-gu

Director:
Contact Details:

Breaches of contract and unpaid wages. Teachers have been sacked without reason, and holidays are unpaid. Overtime is not paid despite very long working hours.


EWHA ALS (American Language School), Mansu-dong

Director:
Contact Details:

Late payment and a lower wage than agreed in the contract. Holidays are not given despite the 15 days promised in the contract. No overtime is paid.


Kids Herald School, Bupyeoung

Director: Mr. Kim
Contact Details:

A lower salary than agreed is paid. Deposits are not returned and medical insurance isn't paid. Do not expect to be paid for extra work or overtime.


Kyoyon Academy, Ka-jwa, Ka-jung, and Shin-hyun

Director:
Contact Details:

Also known as
Kyoyon Language Institute or CES Language Institute. Contractual agreements relating to accommodation and working conditions may not be kept. Very bad accommodation and discrepancies in wages.
A release letter will not be provided. Saturday work demanded despite the contract stating otherwise.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Palace Language Centre

Director:
Contact Details:

This company always refuses to pay severance.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Wonderland, Pupyong

Director:
Contact Details:

An extremely poor contract, leaving the teacher unprotected by parts of the labor laws.
Do not expect a reference.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


J

Jeju-do (4)

EWHA

Director: Ms.Kim
Contact Details: (address) Jeju-Do, Shin-Jeju  (tel) 064-747-0584

Teachers dismissed just before the end of their contracts.


Haba Playschool

Director: Mr. Jo
Contact Details:

Late pay or no pay at all.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Oh Sung Sik (OSS) English Club, New (Shin) Jeju-si

Director: Hye Jung Jun
Contact Details:

A teacher here had several contract disputes with the director over salary and holidays. Wages are sometimes paid late, and the last month's salary and severance money were not given to one teacher.


Oh Sung Sik (OSS) English Club, Old (Gu) Jeju-si

Director:
Contact Details:

A teacher was fired from this hagwon just before completing his contract so that he wouldn't get severance pay.


K

Kangnung (1)

Kwandong University

Director:
Contact Details:

Numerous contract violations. Overtime will not be paid. Poor housing.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Koje-do (1)

Koje College

Director:
Contact Details: (address) Geojedo, Gyeongsangnamdo

Pay has been withheld from teachers on several occassions. Labor law provisions are not followed. This college has been using intimadation to convince an employee to teach a summer school program despite this being outside of the contractual agreement.
He was threatened with being fired and deported.


Koyang (1)

Sogang Language Program Institute (SLP), Hwajeong-Dong

Director:
Contact Details: (address) Hwajeong-dong, Dukyang-gu, Koyang-si

Sick days aren't paid. Severance pay is not always given, and if it is, only after persistent nagging and a lot of time. Reports of different contracts on arrival to the one agreed to beforehand. A teacher here was assaulted by the director. Living conditions and pay are not as promised in the contract.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Kunsan (1)

Bull's Academy

Director:
Contact Details:

A particularly bad story of a teacher being thrown out of his apartment and his personal possessions kept by the director. This was after being fired three weeks before contract completion without bonus or airfare.
http://members.xoom.com/jeff15


Kwangmyung (1)

Cherry Creek School/Kids School

Director:
Contact Details:

Altering of contracts, no payment for overtime, confiscation of airtickets and passports and various disputed deductions from paychecks.
Eleventh month firings have occurred here.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Kyunnggi-Do (1)

SBSi Kids English School, Yatop

Director:
Contact Details:

Reports of the director continually not paying teachers, and just replacing them once they quit. Airfare and bonus are also not paid.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


M

Masan (2)

Kyungnam University

Director:
Contact Details:

Airfare is not paid.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Masan/Gimghae Hyundai Translation

Director:
Contact Details:

Teachers are never paid on time.


Mokpo (2)

E-ton Language School

Director:
Contact Details:

Also known as
Jung IL Future Academy. This school does not make their part of the contribution towards medical insurance. Uncontracted salary cuts. Teachers are fired, or driven to resign before the end of their term so that they do not receive severance money.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Wonderland

Director:
Contact Details:

Last month's salary is unlikely. A violent incident against a teacher here was also reported.


N

Nonsan (1)

Cheong Cheol Interlab

Director:
Contact Details:

A teacher's salary was withheld and a release letter was refused.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


P

Pohang (1)

Time Foreign Language Institute

Director:
Contact Details:

Expect to live in a disused classroom. Recruiters promises will not be adhered to. The school also fails to pay their statutory contribution towards teachers' medical insurance.


Pyungtaek (1)

Wonderland

Director: Mrs Kim or Mrs Jeung
Contact Details:

Teachers are expected to buy their own materials. Saturdays are sometimes worked but not paid. Teachers have been treated very badly by the director.


S

Seoul (35)

Child U School, Yeomchung-dong

Director:
Contact Details:

11th month dismissals are the norm here. Do not expect airfare or severance pay.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Chungmoon Language Institute, Jong-no

Director:
Contact Details: (tel) 02 738 5151; (web)
http://www.chungmoon.co.kr/

A report of racist treatment towards foreigners at this institution. An anti-American sentiment and a 'no-blacks' policy.


Direct English, Jongno branch

Director:
Contact Details:

Despite the agreed notice being served by one teacher, a month and a half's salary was withheld. Sick days not honoured.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


ECC Daechi, Daechi

Director:
Contact Details:

Sick pay and bonus totalling W400,000 were withheld from one teacher, and his flight was cancelled.


ECC Sungdong YBM/SISA, Sungdong

Director:
Contact Details:

A teacher here was sacked after three months for taking one sick-day. Then the teacher's last month's pay was withheld to cover 'expenses'.


English Training Center, Kangnam-ku, Yucksam-dong

Director:
Contact Details: (address) Main office is very near the Kangnam subway station, off Teheranno.

Pay is still owed to former teachers. Holidays must be worked without payment.


English Friends, Jang-an

Director: Mr. Kim
Contact Details:

Not being paid, no bonus payments, no air fare paid. Mr. Kim has been hauled before the Labor Board before but it doesn't seem to have deterred him. Appauling accommodation with no washing facilities is provided if you're lucky enough to get any place at all.


Evan Moor, Bundang and Suji


Director: Kim Bae-gyu
Contact Details: (address) Head Office - Hankuk Ouekook Oh hak dang building

Two female teachers were assaulted here. The director claims to have mafia connections, and has a penchant for prostitutes. Expect to sleep on the floor of the director's apartment. Don't expect any pay.


Ewha American Language School, Haan-dong

Director:
Contact Details:

Teachers here have been cheated out of their last month's salary. The director always fires teachers before their contract end in order to avoid paying air fare and severance.


Ewha American Language School, Mapo

Director: Mr. C
Contact Details:

Millions of won still owed to a former teacher. Reports of threatening behaviour, late pay and abuses of the terms of the contract.
A lower salary than agreed is paid. Terrible housing.


Ewha American Language School, Mapu

Director: Cho Young-Jin
Contact Details:

The director does not pay the agreed salary or overtime. Teachers have been cheated out of large amounts of money.


Ewha American Language School, Mok-dong

Director:
Contact Details:

The last month's salary was not paid to one teacher here.


Ewha American Language School, Suji

Director:
Contact Details:

Money still owed to a former teacher. The same teacher was also charged rent.
They were even charging me rent.


Hamilton Language Centre

Director: Mr. Lee
Contact Details:

Also known as Korea Campus Group. Teachers are not fully paid, paid late, or receive no payment at all. The director also tries to confiscate passports.
Health insurance is not always provided. Weekend work is demanded against the contractual agreement. Illegal contracting out also occurs.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Hoya Language School, Kangnam

Director:
Contact Details:

A lower than agreed salary paid.


Jung Chul English Junior School, Haengshin-dong

Director: 'Sunny'
Contact Details: (address) Haengshin-dong, Koyang-si

Reports of labor law violations, threats, harassment and assault at this hagwon. Pay was refused or delayed several times for one teacher, who was also slapped and had hot tea thrown in her face.


Jung Chul English Junior School, Sangwangshimni

Director:
Contact Details:

Poor or no accommodation provided. One teacher had to sleep on the floor of another teacher's apartment. Late pay, only partial severance pay, reluctantly given and with a 10% deduction for 'stress'.


Jung Chul Interlab, Bugae

Director: Mrs. Lee
Contact Details:

Unless you like to teach english for free, don't work here.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Jung Chul,, Kangnam Station district

Director:
Contact Details: (address) Kangnam Station district, Seoul

The director will not pay rent, despite the contract stating otherwise.

http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html



Kate School, Mok-dong

Director: Mr. Pyon, Mrs. Song, Mr. Park and Minnie Choi
Contact Details:

Four foreign teachers all failed to receive payment for three months of work. Financial hardship is repeatedly given as the reason, yet the school remains open.


Kid's Herald School, Seodaemoon

Director: Mr. Bae
Contact Details: (address) Hongje-dong, Seodaemoon

The director keeps teachers' diplomas and passports. Threats have been made to teachers who wish to leave.


Kids Herald School, Kangnam

Director: Mr. and Mrs. Song
Contact Details: (address) Ilwon-dong, nr. Daechong subway stop.

Contractual sick days are not honoured. Overtime not paid. Weekends worked despite the contract stating otherwise. One teacher had his pay withheld and was asked to move out of his apartment before he had finished working at the school. Another teacher was sacked for going away for the weekend, and asked to pay 2 million won compensation.


Kidsland, Dongnimmun

Director:
Contact Details:

Over 6 million won owed to one former teacher. Expect to pay for your own housing. You may be fired just before the end of your contract, losing out on airfare and severance. Poor accommodation.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


LCI Kidsclub, Mok-dong

Director:
Contact Details: (address) Yangchun-gu, Mok-dong, Seoul (web) www.mkidsclub.com

This institution has left many of it's teaching staff without a full final paycheck.  They have deducted large amounts from the last months salary for pension,
even though monthly payments for this purpose have already been made.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Notto English School, Shinchon

Director:
Contact Details:

Low salary, no housing or medical provided.


Oedae Language School, Daechi-dong

Director:
Contact Details:

Seven consecutive teachers have been fired shortly before the end of their contracts. Do not expect severance or statutory notice.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


POLY, Bundang


Director: Chris Han & Kay Lee
Contact Details:

Severance pay not given in full. Frequent discrepancies with pay. Problems with housing are not fixed. Far too much is deducted for pensions.


Seoul Educational Development Corporation (SED), Bundang

Director:
Contact Details:

Late payers, and loss or damage to teachers' diplomas has occurred here. Final salary and severance are not always paid.


Seoul English Insitute, Goedok-dong

Director:
Contact Details:

Severance pay and the correct amount of overtime are not paid.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


SLP, Gwangjin-gu and Gangdang-gu

Director: Hwan, Won-Kwak & Joung
Contact Details:

Poor accommodation and irregularities with the contract. Overtime is unpaid. Teachers are dismissed before they complete their contracts so that bonus pay is not required.


SLP, Kangnam

Director: Charles Lee
Contact Details:

Contract not adhered to, and Mr. Lee still owes money to one teacher.


Swaton (Iroonet)

Director:
Contact Details:

The school substantially changed the contract after it had been signed, and then transplanted the teacher's signature onto it. More hours than agreed in the contract are expected, including weekends and holidays, without extra pay. The school have not honoured promises made before employment began. Poor accommodation provided.


United Language School in Sunhwa-Dong

Director: Hui Soo Jey
Contact Details:

The director stole the last paycheck of one former teacher.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


USA Language Academy, Bucheon


Director: 'Mike'
Contact Details:

Constant contract changes and the director refuses to issue release letters. The director also tries to negotiate the salary each month, often paying less than the agreed sum.


Wonderland, Bukbu and Chunggye

Director: Mr. Kim
Contact Details:

Teachers have been short-changed by the director on several occassions. Mr. Kim also had to be restrained from assaulting a female foreign teacher.
The contract will not be honoured when it comes to sick leave, emergenct leave. Severance, airfare and  accommodation deposit have not been returned to some teachers. Poor accommodation which does not comply with the contractual requirements.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Sokcho (2)

Rira ELS

Director: Mrs. Lee
Contact Details: (tel) 33 636 1230/1236

Plane ticket money was not reimbursed as promised, and only a portion of the agreed salary was paid.


SISA Foreign Language Institute

Director: Jeong Sue-kyung
Contact Details:

This also applies to the Kangnun branch. Severance pay is unlikely be given. The contract is not upheld, and the single accommodation promised will not be given.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Suncheon (1)

Evan Moor School

Director: Mr. C
Contact Details: (address: Yushimcheon building, Suncheon-si, Jellonamdo)

Contracts have been disregarded and tax payments pocketed by the director at this hagwon. Accommodation is not as promised in the contract. Don't expect furniture.
Late payers.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Suwon (12)

Cherry Creek School

Director:
Contact Details:

The first week is unpaid because it is classed as staff training, although no training is undergone, and teachers work as normal.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Global Education and Culture Center

Director:
Contact Details:

The salary upon arrival is likely to be substantially lower than that agreed in the contract.
Do not expect to get paid on time or in full. Expect to live with the director despite the promise of individual housing in the contract.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Guk Je Foreign Language Institute 

Director: Kwon Young-ho
Contact Details: Kyounggi do, Suwon city, Young-tong gu, Wonchon dong, 79-8 (tel) 031 214-0515 (fax) 031 241-9851 (mob) 011-358-1233 (email) k9849@unitel.co.kr (web)
www.gukje.co.kr

Contract altered after it was signed. Discrepancies with tax and maintenance. Money missing from final pay-check.


Hello Academy

Director: Mr. Jong
Contact Details: (address) 1267-7 Maetan3-dong, 6f, YongTong-gu, Suwon, Gyeoghhi-do 443-374 (tel) 031 214 8025 (fax) 031 214 8025

Teachers have to wait for two weeks after completion of contract to receive pay. Numerous visa and contract irregularities and a high staff turnover. The director believes that severance pay is discretionary.


Kids Eduland

Director: Mr. Choi
Contact Details:

This hagwon has a habit of firing teachers after only a few months. Not too forthcoming with wages either.


Kuk Jae Foreign Language Institute

Director: Mr. Kwon
Contact Details:

Also known as
International Korea or Universal Korea.
Severance pay will not be given. A favourite trick of Mr. Kwon is to reduce the contractually agreed salary due to a 'mistake' by the recruiter. This 'mistake' apparently happens with most teachers who come here. A video camera is also installed in the staffroom. One teacher was cheated out of her airfare.


Michigan Language Academy

Director:
Contact Details:

The director tries to change the contract and to pay a lower than agreed salary.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Oh Sung Sik, Youngtown

Director:
Contact Details:

Problems with getting overtime pay due to a creative interpretation of the contract by the director. A very vague contract is offered, and no severance pay was given to one teacher. You will have problems if you need a release letter.


SLP Suwon, Youngton branch

Director:
Contact Details:

One teacher was fired shortly before the completion of her contract so that she lost her bonus.
Another teacher was fined W400,000 for not completing paperwork. Release letters, last months salary or return airfare are unlikely.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Sung Il Academy

Director:
Contact Details:

The director has assaulted two teachers; throwing a coffee cup at one, and beating up another along with three accomplices.


21st Century Language Institute

Director:
Contact Details:

Either severance pay or airfare will not be paid. Medical insurance is not provided.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Wonderland

Director:
Contact Details:

Horrific working hours, unwarranted deductions from wages and false promises made before arriving at the school.


U

Ulsan (7)

BIT English School, Nammok (Dong-gu)

Director:
Contact Details:

Contractual sick days are not honoured.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


EMI

Director:
Contact Details:

Maltreatment of teachers including violence, and difficulties obtaining overtime.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


EWHA ALS

Director:
Contact Details:

Late payment and a lower wage than agreed in the contract.


Jel World Language Institute

Director: 'James'
Contact Details:

This institution has gone through 12 teachers in two years. The Director takes 7% in tax but only pays 4% to the tax department. Unpaid wages and contracting out teachers against their wishes as well as non-payment of overtime are all common here.


Megaton School

Director:
Contact Details:
Business Number:

Late payers. Do not expect to receive your overtime pay. Poor housing.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html


Yes English School, Ok-dong

Director: Mr Kim
Contact Details:

Tax is taken from pay, but is pocketed by the director. Medical insurance is not paid.


YSU/UH International Education Institute


Director:
Contact Details:

Living conditions are not as promised in the contract. Airfare is not reimbursed and overtime not paid. Sick leave and holidays are not honoured.


W

Wonju (1)

Jonghro M School

Director: Mr. Lim
Contact Details:

This hagwon also incorporates
ELF Kindergarten. Mr. Lim repeatedly hires teachers at peak times, with no intention of keeping them for the full contract term. The contract offerred should not be accepted as it exempts the school from it's labor law responsibilities.


Y

Yeosu (1)

Jae Yeon Kindergarten


Director:  Mr & Mrs Shim & Mr Son
Contact Details: Munsoo-Dong, Yeoseo-Dong, Yeosu, Jeollanam-Do


This institute underpays, pays late (up to 4 months), or doesn't pay at all. Problematic teachers have been reported to the local police for invalid reasons.


Youngju
(1)

Brainy English School

Director: Kim Beong-jin
Contact Details:

A teacher here was sent to the airport without his severance or last month's pay. Upon arrival he found that his ticket had not been paid for either.
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/blacklisted.html

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