Hello Alan,

Check this Korean black list site: http://koreablacklist.tripod.com/

Also, ask to talk to 2 esl teachers at school, emails and phone #s.

Plane tickets, most schools in Korea offer one way trip at the beginning and the return ticket after your contract completition.
The ideal scenario is to get prepaid the full airfare.

Severance pay is a problem too, most schools refuse to pay it as stated in contract.

And last but very important, ask the distance of your apt to school.

Korean schools are good (majority).

Good Luck!

Kim