According to Mr. Harrison, Korean police really don't like the exercise of those rights and think you are hiding something if you exercise those rights. Mr. Harrison advised the conference attendees to ask for English versions of any statement you may give. He further advised us that Korean prisons are not a fun place and to do our best to stay out of them. That should cover just about all of us teaching here in Pusan, especially with the exchange rate going towards the 1000 Won mark. Mr. Harrison explained the difference between severance pay and retirement pay.
Retirement pay is a pension system similar to most countries' social security system.
It consists of employer and employee contributions. Foreigners are entitled to receive their contributions when they leave. Severance pay is legal requirement to pay all employees, regardless of nationality, one month's salary for each year worked. This law is still mandatory, though it may become optional by the year 2000. Most employers believe this is very burdensome, especially with the new retirement system in place.