Finally a little justice for the SK Coasties.

The Captain of the Chinese fishing boat that murdered a Korean Coast Guard officer last year was sentenced to 30 years in prison and a 20,000,000 Won fine. The prosecution was seeking the death penalty. Nine other members of the crew were sentenced to terms of 1.5 to 5 years.

Not surprising anyone the Chinese government doesn't accept the verdict. What remains to be seen is if the South Korean government doesn't roll over and set the Captain and others free to appease the Chinese government.

What the ... slight?!?!?!?

One of the favourite slights used by apologists and assholes when they attack those teaching ESL in South Korea is to say

"You teach ESL here because you can't get a job back home."

or some variation of this.

Talking with Audience in a previous thread and thinking about an internet asshole I recently dealt with reminded me of this. My current situation actually puts the lie to it.

I am currently working part time and making as much money as I did teaching ESL in South Korea. Actually, if you look at the fluctuating rate of Won to Canadian Dollar, I am making more now than I did the last year or so that I was working in South Korea.

In a few months I will probably be full time and making more money. I will also have benefits. Some of which I had in South Korea but they were either grudgingly applied, ignored, or applied badly.

Like paid vacation time. Here, I can book the time off long in advance. I get the actual time I am supposed to get. Even with the best boss in South Korea vacation time was given last minute and it wasn't always the time that you were supposed to contractually get. At Ivy School 5 days off, around a weekend, twice a year, was screwed around with enough that it actually became 3 days and a weekend and in the end they actually tried giving 1 day plus the weekend.

Hell, I could have had a job out west making a lot more than I do now. Double it counting over time, which they get a lot of. Any Canadian teaching ESL could easily find work in Alberta even as a basic labourer making more money than they do in South Korea, and have benefits. Money isn't always the most important thing in life. I would rather have a job I am happy doing.

Guess what bitches, you were WRONG yet again. While I miss teaching I enjoy my current job a lot and it pays better part time or full time, with or without benefits than teaching ESL in South Korea. So, in the immortal words of John Stewart, I have something to say to the apologists and assholes who spout that bullshit.

Go fuck yourselves. :)