It looks like English teachers may have a shot after all. A recent announcement by Immigration offers a number of bonus points for 'cultural-based activities' - things that Koreans do that should also be done by foreign residents.

"After a number of calls and e-mails, we've decided to offer bonus points for getting a residency-based visa", an official from Korean Immigration said.

The F-2-S visa offers foreign workers in Korea the chance to become a Korean resident - if you gather enough points. The system offers points for education, income, Korean language ability, and so on. Unfortunately, even long-term English teachers with Master's degrees and advanced Korean language skills don't have the points necessary to qualify for the visa. This announcement includes the possibility for bonus points - the list includes the following:

• 10 points for eating a full plate of kimchi, Korea's national dish of fermented cabbage and red pepper paste
  
• 5 points for singing at the noraebang with Korean co-workers or at least 3 Korean friends
• 5 points for walking on a barefoot path
  
• 10 points for screaming 'Dokdo is Ours!' repeatedly while in downtown Seoul
• 5 points for watching Kim Yu-na's gold medal figure skating performance over and over again.
• 5 points for drinking at least 1 bottle of soju or several cups of somaek in one sitting.
• 5 points for wandering around Gyeongbokgung temple like a tourist
  

These points can only be issued in the presence of a Korean immigration officer or other qualified national, a Korean immigration officer was quoted as saying.

The F-2-S visa is real, but the added points mentioned above aren't. Don't drink and surf satirical blogposts. That is all.

© Chris Backe - 2010

This post was originally published on my blog, Chris in South Korea. If you are reading this on another website and there is no linkback or credit given, you are reading an UNAUTHORIZED FEED.