Cheongdo County Gains Attention as a Model for the Foreign Seasonal Worker Program... Focuses on Building a Symbiotic Society

Leading the Stable Operation of the Foreign Seasonal Worker Program
and Addressing the Rural Labor Shortage

Cheongdo County (Governor Kim Hasu) is actively addressing the worsening labor shortage caused by rural aging and population decline by stably establishing the foreign seasonal worker program, drawing national attention as a model case among local governments.

Cheongdo County first introduced the foreign seasonal worker program in 2023, signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Cavinti City in the Philippines and bringing in 84 workers.

Group photo of Filipino seasonal workers selected this year. Provided by Cheongdo County

To ensure both workers and farms are satisfied with the program, Cheongdo County implemented detailed administrative measures such as supporting drug test fees and industrial accident insurance premiums, assigning interpreters, and conducting on-site inspections at least once a month. As a result, the program was operated stably without a single case of unauthorized departure.

In 2024, the county signed an additional agreement with the central government of Laos, increasing the number of workers to 135, a 160% increase compared to the previous year.

To help workers quickly adapt to farm work, Cheongdo County produced and distributed agricultural training materials in their native languages and operated Korean cultural experience programs such as "Holy Moly Cheongdo Cultural Tour" to support their settlement.

As of 2025, Cheongdo County has been allocated and is operating 356 foreign seasonal workers. Among them, approximately 140 workers, including 84 from the Philippines and 58 from Laos, have entered the country and are helping to address the rural labor shortage.

This year, the county expanded its sending countries by signing a new agreement with Santo Tomas City in the Philippines, and to mark the third anniversary of cooperation with Cavinti City, delegations from both local governments made mutual visits to strengthen their friendship.

Notably, Cheongdo County has enhanced trust between workers and hiring farms by operating a local interview selection system, regular on-site counseling, and interpreter support. Based on systematic management and field-oriented administration, the county has been selected for two consecutive years by the Ministry of Justice as an "Outstanding Local Government for Foreign Seasonal Workers."

This operational experience is being recognized as a stable model for resolving rural labor shortages.

Meanwhile, starting next year, Cheongdo County plans to introduce a public seasonal worker program to support small-scale farms that need short-term labor.

Additionally, the county will introduce a daily labor dispatch system directly operated by the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation to help curb the surge in labor costs during peak farming seasons. It also plans to diversify the labor supply system for both domestic and foreign workers by building accommodations for agricultural workers and operating a rural job support center.

Governor Kim Hasu stated, "Cheongdo County has focused on establishing a mutually beneficial agricultural workforce support system where workers and farms grow together, and on building a symbiotic society with foreign workers. We will continue to create a vibrant rural community by securing a sustainable agricultural foundation and stabilizing the labor force."

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