Foreign Employment in South Korea Continues to Grow
The number of foreign workers in South Korea has increased to approximately 1.1 million, with industries such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture, livestock farming, and services becoming increasingly dependent on foreign labor.
The Korean government has confirmed plans to introduce 80,000 foreign workers under the Employment Permit System (E-9) in 2026. Of these, 50,000 workers will be allocated to the manufacturing sector, with a large number also assigned to agriculture and livestock industries.
To address labor shortages in rural areas, the government has decided to allocate 109,000 seasonal foreign workers, representing an increase of about 14% compared to the previous year.
The Ministry of Justice is also piloting a special foreign employment program to support small business owners in regions experiencing population decline. As a result, foreign hiring in restaurants and service industries is expected to expand in some areas.
In addition, the Ministry of Employment and Labor is accepting additional applications for the hiring of E-9 foreign workers in 2026, helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and farms address labor shortages.
For information regarding visas, employment, residence status, and living in Korea, please contact the Korea Immigration Contact Center (1345).
📞 Immigration Contact Center (1345)
Within Korea: 1345
From Overseas: +82-2-1345
Multilingual services available, including English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and many other languages.