Lack of Professionalization of Interpreters in Korean Society

Before entering the Korea University-Macquarie University translation and interpreting program, I had never learned how to interpret, but I performed as an interpreter for foreign correspondents in Korea and foreign patients visiting a mega hospital in Korea.
I loved my role as an interpreter and I knew that I have to go to a graduate school of translation and interpreting to become a professional interpreter.
However, I hesitated for a long time to make the decision to go to a graduate school because I was not sure if interpreters are regarded as professionals enough in Korean society.
It is true that many people think that anyone with a certain fluency in English can interpret like I did.
Notwithstanding that most professional interpreters study hard for two full years in graduate schools and keep studying after graduation as well, I feel that interpreters’ professional status is underestimated in Korean society, except for few conference interpreters.
Therefore, I sense the lack of professionalization of interpreters in the social level.