The Washington Post (Wednesday, April 16, 1997) did irresponsible reporting. After eight months here, I know *no* teacher who makes $100 an hour. The Korean government is doing everything it can to "clean up" all the illegalities occurring here. Even the US Embassy warns teachers not to come here. This "cleaning up" is aimed at the "illegal" teachers, the foreigners. It is not aimed at the Koreans themselves who profit, abuse, lie, distort and otherwise have ruined Korea's reputation among professional EFL teachers, that few of them bother to come here.

Having come here on a legal contract, I worked six days a week, with, usually, 34 contact hours. I worked hard, as do many teachers. No vacation pay, no paid holidays (against the country's labor laws). Unfortunately, many *people* come here to teach, with no training, no background, and no interest in anything but money. Being young adds to their vulnerability and exploitation.

When things went wrong with my employment, no lawyer would touch the case, despite Korea's entry into the OCED, despite the international attention given the labor strikes. Finally, I found one lawyer who volunteered his help.

Being forced to go "illegal" has entailed a new host of horrors. At least in Saudi Arabia I got paid, had a legal contract, and decent housing.

Please keep my name and address anonymous. For obvious reasons.