[Diplomacy] Koreans in Seoul diplomatic world

Foreign embassies in Seoul employ a considerable number of Koreans as their ``quasi-diplomats`` for the better understanding of Korean society. What do the Korean employees who assist the foreign diplomatic missions behind the scenes think of their jobs and how are they treated?

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul employed a total of 317 Koreans as of the end of February, much more than half of its 550 employees.

They work in various sections of the embassy like the political, economic, commercial and information departments, ambassador`s office and deputy ambassador`s office. A Korean employee said, ``We find ourselves helping U.S. diplomats better understand Korea, but we feel sorry that we cannot participate in the course of decision making.``

They receive 31 million won a year on average, similar to the level of big companies or a little higher. Ordinary clerks are paid 25-48 million won a year, while specialists receive 40-75 million won, depending on the years of their service. Regular 10 days off a year are guaranteed, and from the third year of service, the official leave increases automatically by one day every year. Those who work for 12 years will be given 20 days off. Due to the regulations that holidays should not exceed 20 days a year, the Korean employees sometimes work on Korean holidays like Arbor Day on Apr. 5 and Buddha`s Birthday on Apr. 8 by the lunar calendar.

The Canadian Embassy employs about 70 Koreans, the second largest number of Koreans after the U.S. embassy. About 20 of them are assigned to the immigration section due to the sharply increasing number of Koreans applying to emigrate to Canada. Since the embassy recruits Korean employees through open competition, the competition has become fierce. More than 400 persons applied for the post of a public information officer.

A Canadian diplomat said that the officer-level Koreans are recruited on the basis of their career, while the assistants based on the interview. The Koreans` pay is similar to the employees of big companies.

The French Embassy employs about 50 Koreans, about half of them are engaged in administrative businesses. About 10 work in the cultural cooperation and commercial departments, while four work at the consular office. The vacant seats are filled through advertisements at newspapers or the Internet.

An official said that the number of applicants with high educational backgrounds such as master`s degree or doctorate holders exorbitantly increased apparently due to rising unemployment. Their annual salary is less than that at big companies, but they work five days a week with 20 days off a year.

At the German Embassy are 24 Korean employees. Thanks to the sharp increase in the trade volume between Korea and Germany, the number of Koreans working in the economic field increased. The employees are recruited any time when there is a vacancy. They are chosen from among those with German master`s degrees, at the recommendation of their university. The pay is similar to the level at big companies.

But those who are career workers in their fields or work for seven years or more are treated like directors of big companies. They work five days a week (until 4:30 p.m. on weekdays except for Friday, and 2 p.m. on Friday). They are given 20 or 30 days off a year.

A Korean employee said, ``We are on good terms with the German staff, but have been sometimes at odds due to cultural differences.``

The Israeli Embassy employs 13 Korean employees. Like other embassies, it deploys one to three Koreans at secretarial, information, cultural and tourism departments. A Korean employee said, ``Sometimes I was distressed because of the lack of understanding (with Israelis) caused by cultural differences.``

Paik Kyung-Hak stern100@donga.com