By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter

Korea still lacks the manpower needed to screen out foreign drug users from attaining work visas, it has been claimed ㅡ even though it is mandatory for foreign English teacher hopefuls to submit a criminal background check and health data including HIV-AIDS and drug-test results.

Despite the requirements being in place since December 2007, stories of drug-using foreign teachers have continued to capture newspaper headlines.

Six foreign English teachers ㅡ three Canadians, two Americans and a New Zealander ㅡ were arrested Friday on charges of smoking hashish, a more potent cannabis product than marijuana.

Some of them allegedly taught students while intoxicated at elementary schools.

In response, police have called for tighter immigration procedures.

Earlier last month, a number of foreigners ㅡ including English teachers dealing with children ― were caught on charges of smuggling and using illegal drugs in Gyeonggi Province.

Kim Ki-young, a senior policeman dealing with drug crime, said the immigration authorities needs to intensify visa screening procedures in order to reduce the number of drug-using foreign teachers.

``We have limited manpower to control drug-using foreigners,'' he added.

According to the National Police Agency, 3.3 percent of all crimes reported so far this year involved illegal drug distribution, consumption and production, with proportion on the increase in recent years.

The Korea Immigration Service (KIS) initially planned to conduct ``cannabinoids" tests on E-2 visa applicants, but the idea was scrapped in March last year due to a lack of equipped hospitals and the fact smoking marijuana is not illegal in some countries.

English-teaching hopefuls are, however, required to take a ``TBPE'' drug test, which detects opiates and other narcotic-type drugs.

But police believe immigration authorities need to conduct cannabinoids tests in order to reduce drug convictions among foreign teachers.

Meanwhile, foreign teachers groups are urging the Korean government to test all teachers, whether they are Koreans or foreigners.

The Association for Teachers of English in Korea (ATEK) filed complaints in February with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, claiming that the government's visa regulations were discriminative. The association also launched a campaign against the visa regulation, though they don't oppose background checks.

As for the series of drug arrests involving foreign teachers, ATEK expressed regrets.

``ATEK strongly condemns criminal activity of all kinds and does not allow lawbreakers to become or remain members of our association. ATEK is committed to high quality English education and drug use has no place in our mission,'' said Tony Hellmann, the communication director of the association.

A total of 21,105 foreigners holding an E-2 visa were teaching English here as of March 31, according to the KIS.

kswho@koreatimes.co.kr