Prime Minister Jeong: "Extending Foreign Workers' Stay Period... Temporarily Allowing Extension"

"Strengthened Quarantine Measures Including Submission of Negative PCR Test Certificate Upon Arrival from Countries Subject to Enhanced Quarantine"

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 29th, "We will pursue a plan to temporarily extend the stay period for foreign workers and allow them to work in rural areas."

At the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting held at the Government Sejong Complex on the same day to respond to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), Prime Minister Chung said, "In rural areas ahead of the August harvest season, there is a severe shortage of labor due to the impact of COVID-19. In previous years, this issue was resolved through foreign workers, but this year, entry is not free, making the situation more serious."

Prime Minister Chung expressed, "If foreign workers who have extended their stay period obtain seasonal work jobs, it will help alleviate the labor shortage in rural areas even a little."

He also emphasized, "We will strengthen quarantine measures, such as requiring crew members of ships departing from Russia and countries subject to enhanced quarantine to submit PCR negative test certificates upon entry into Korea," and added, "We will continuously assess risk factors and adjust the list of countries subject to enhanced quarantine."

He urged, "Quarantine stations and related agencies should establish a seamless cooperation system to ensure that strengthened quarantine measures are properly implemented at port sites."

Prime Minister Chung also mentioned, "With the start of the second semester approaching, more than 50,000 foreign students are expected to enter the country, so preparations are necessary." He added, "The government will prepare in advance by ensuring rapid diagnostic testing and sufficient quarantine facilities, and will induce the dispersed entry of foreign students through visa issuance and flight adjustments."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.