Goheung-gun Selected as Pilot Area for Foreigners' Settlement 'Region-Specific Visa Project'

Attracting and Settling Foreigners Including Outstanding International Students and Overseas Korean Families -

Expecting a Virtuous Cycle of Population Inflow Through Expansion of Resident Population

[Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shim Jeong-woo] Jeonnam Goheung-gun (Governor Gong Young-min) announced on the 6th that it has been selected as a region for the Ministry of Justice's 'Regional Specialized Visa Pilot Project' aimed at attracting and settling excellent foreigners to respond to population decline and revitalize the local economy.

The 'Regional Specialized Visa Pilot Project' is a system that issues special visas to foreigners who meet the qualification requirements requested by local governments, on the condition of residing and working in the region for a certain period.

So far, Goheung-gun has been facing difficulties in securing workers due to being a population extinction risk area caused by low birth rates and aging, with an increasing number of companies struggling with labor shortages. Therefore, it has shown interest and prepared for this public contest project to attract and settle foreigners and solve labor shortages.

As a result, by being selected for the Ministry of Justice's public contest project, Goheung-gun expects to realize a virtuous cycle structure leading to an increase in living population and promotion of economic activities by inducing foreigners suitable for regional specialized industries to settle in the area.

Goheung-gun plans to pilot the regional specialized visa project targeting local excellent talents (foreign students) and compatriot families for 10 months from January 2023 and gradually expand it.

As qualification requirements, local excellent talents (foreign students) must have Korean language proficiency (TOPIK level 3) and hold at least a domestic associate degree, with conditions to work, start a business, or reside in Goheung-gun for more than 5 years. Compatriot families must be compatriots and their families who have been residing in Goheung-gun for more than 2 years or those who have moved to Goheung-gun with their families (spouse or children) from city-level or larger urban areas.

Based on future local demand surveys, Goheung-gun plans to prioritize deploying personnel to regional specialized industries such as jujube and pomegranate, seaweed and laver, elderly care and health sectors, and shipyards.

Additionally, to support foreigner settlement, customized settlement support programs such as Korean language education and learning support for accompanying children will be operated.

Governor Gong Young-min said, "Through this selection, we expect to invigorate the local economy and expand the living population by promoting the settlement of foreigners legally entering and residing in Goheung-gun," adding, "We will do our best to ensure that foreigners who meet employment requirements can settle stably in Goheung-gun."

Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shim Jeong-woo hss79@asiae.co.kr

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