Monday, February 9, 2009

ATEK human rights abuse solidarity shirts (9900 won while supplies last)

The horrors of having to pee into a cup and get some legal documents from back home, experienced by the precious little lotus blossoms who are eligible for E2 teaching visas in the Republic of Korea, have become a hot topic in the K-blogosphere

Recently, I've been shown that my skepticism about this actually being a human rights abuse was utterly erroneous. I have since been inspired to join the cause, fight the fight, and stick it to the (Immigration) man. 

Toward that end, I'm announcing the sale of "ATEK solidarity shirts." These carefully hand-woven cotton tees, put together on looms manned only by union workers in the Republic of Korea, will sell for W9900 while supplies last. 

For all you Korea culture assimilators who have not yet mastered Korean language beyond the "One more beer, agashi" and "How much is this?" phase and whose significant others are not in the room at the moment, the text on the shirt ("저는 영어선생님인데 대한민국 출입국관리사무소가 내 인권을 위협한다!") means, "I'm an English teacher and the ROK Immigration Service is violating my human rights!" 

Let everyone on your subway line know that forcing only E2 visa holders to take drug tests and conduct background checks is human rights abuse. Come on, do your part! We must get the word out. Email me for discounts on bulk orders. I could go as low as W9500 for orders of ten or more.

Even if you're not an English teacher or an E2 visa holder, buy one out of solidarity. Wear it proud. Hell, get it tattooed on your arm: You can make a political statement in the ROK, and chicks will dig your cool Asian tat back in the USA. [Helpful hint for girls: get it as a tramp stamp and you'll be the belle of the ball.]

[above: This would look so much hotter if it were written in Han•gŭl]

UPDATE:
I've been informed that the shirt-printing company has screwed up my order. What was supposed to read "www.ATEK.or.kr" instead reads "www.ATEK.com." Well, that's what you get for going with cheap Chinese labor. We'll just see if Wuzhou Printing Works and Party Favors sees the second half of that payment. 

1 comment:

  1. Over at Ask Kushibo, Jay has asked about the shirts:
    싸다! 작은 사이즈는 있나요?

    아니오. 스몰 사이즈가 없어요.

    No, the only sizes are large and extra large, but that's not because I think all Americans in Korea are overweight freedom fries eaters (in fact, my ex was rather svelte; so were her friends, her hot, svelte friends).

    Rather, this message is so important that we want the letters to be big and proud. A small shirt would mean small lettering, which would make it difficult for this message of human rights abuse to reach the people.

    Also, a small tight tee on a young woman could lead to the message not being noticed at all.

    ReplyDelete

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