Jeollanamdo Expands Employment of Foreign Workers to Ease Labor Shortages

Discussion Forum in Mokpo with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Justice, and Industry Representatives
Expanding Activities and Residency Qualifications for Seasonal Workers Discussed

Jeollanamdo held a discussion forum on improving regulations for foreign workers' employment activities on the 11th at the Shangri-La Beach Tourist Hotel in Mokpo. Photo by Jeonnam Province

Jeollanamdo held a discussion forum on June 11 at the Shangri-La Beach Tourist Hotel in Mokpo to address labor shortages in sectors such as agriculture and fisheries. The forum focused on expanding the scope of activities for seasonal workers and broadening eligibility for regional visa programs.

This event, co-hosted by Jeollanamdo and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, was attended by approximately 70 participants, including officials from the Ministry of Justice, representatives from 22 cities and counties, the Oyster Aquaculture Fisheries Cooperative, and the Shinan Solar Salt Producers Association. Attendees exchanged views on regulatory improvements to promote the employment of foreign workers.

The foreign seasonal worker program allows employers in rural and fishing communities to hire foreign workers for up to eight months to address short-term labor shortages.

As of the end of March 2025, the number of registered foreigners in Jeollanamdo was 570,000. Notably, the province recorded a 74% increase in registered foreigners over the past five years, the highest rate in the country, with about 10,000 new foreign registrations each year in recent years.

Lee Byunghyun, Associate Research Fellow at the Jeonnam Research Institute, delivered the keynote presentation, proposing a shift to a 'negative list system' (where activities are generally permitted except for specified restrictions) for the employment activities of foreign seasonal workers.

During the subsequent discussion, Choi Soonmo, Head of the Yeosu Branch of the Oyster Aquaculture Fisheries Cooperative, pointed out that, unlike 'scallops' and 'sea squirts,' there is no reasonable basis for excluding 'oyster' offshore aquaculture from the foreign seasonal worker program. Choi Seokdae, Director of the Solar Salt Producers Association, argued that salt production, which occurs from spring to autumn, is precisely the sector where the introduction of seasonal workers is most urgently needed.

The debate continued between the Ministry of Justice and Jeollanamdo regarding the province's proposal to include 'introduction of seasonal workers' and the establishment of a 'Jeonnam-style family-based immigration visa' in the regional visa program.

Yoon Jin-ho, Director of Planning and Coordination at Jeollanamdo, stated, "As the agricultural and fisheries workforce in Jeollanamdo ages and labor shortages in local industries worsen, the reliance on foreign workers is steadily increasing. Therefore, it is necessary to improve related systems and regulations. Moving forward, we will work closely with central government agencies not only to expand the scope of activities for foreign workers, but also to strengthen their residency rights, welfare, and human rights."

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