Working in South Korea now easier for Ethnic Koreans from abroad
Seoul (AsiaNews) Beginning in July, South Korea's Ministry of Justice will issue new employment visas for ethnic Koreans living in China and Russia in a bid to allow them to work in and visit the country more freely. Many South Koreans are however concerned about the new rules' impact on local employment.
Under the new rules, a new visa called H-2 visa will be issued to ethnic Koreans living abroad valid for up to five years. It will allow them to work a maximum of two years in the country, according to the ministry.
The new visa system is expected to encourage the descendents of Korean independence fighters who fought against Japanese colonial rule (1910-45) to seek job opportunities in South Korea.
Over time, it has become difficult for many ethnic Koreans to get work visas since many of them have lost contact with their relatives in South Korea.
Under the current system, those who are listed in the local family registry system are allowed to receive work visas at the invitation of their relatives living in Korea. But under the new system, ethnic Koreans with no relatives in the country can also apply for a work visa.
What is more, the new rules will apply to a broader range of activities. Currently, only construction and service sectors are included. After the new rules come into effect, visa holders will be able to seek employment in manufacturing, farming and the fishery sector.
The Ministry of Labour has however voiced opposition to the new visa, claiming that it will negatively affect the local job market situation. It argues that some South Korean workers may lose their job as a result of an influx of overseas Koreans from China and Russia.
In an effort to allay such fears, the Ministry of Justice plans to impose a quota system to limit the number of visas for those ethnic Koreans who do not have relatives in the country.
As of January 2005, more than 160,000 ethnic Koreans were living in the country: 148,000 came from China, 18,300 from the United States and 1,224 from Russia. An estimated 36,000 ethnic Koreans from China are overstaying their visas.
It is also estimated that some 3.78 million Koreans are living in other countries.
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12/02/2016 15:14
29/10/2017 14:04
