Last Year’s Attempt to Hire Foreign Drivers Failed
Up to 2.5 Million KRW Support Including License Acquisition Fees
Seoul City, facing a shortage of village bus drivers, is promoting a 'win-win' strategy by linking employment opportunities for North Korean defectors.
On the 13th, Seoul City announced that, in cooperation with the city’s Village Bus Transportation Business Association, it has prepared the 'Employment Linkage Support Plan for Village Bus Drivers Who Are North Korean Defectors' and will start accepting applications from the 14th of this month. This will operate as a pilot project this year, initially supporting 20 job-seeking North Korean defectors. Additional support will be provided if there is high demand.
Previously, Seoul City attempted to resolve the chronic shortage of village bus drivers by promoting the employment of foreign drivers last year, but the plan was thwarted. The Employment Permit System visa (E-9) is issued to foreigners employed in non-professional jobs such as agriculture, but the Ministry of Employment and Labor considered bus drivers to fall under 'professional occupations.'
According to the Village Bus Association, there were 2,918 village bus transportation workers last year, which was 599 fewer than the appropriate number (3,517). It is analyzed that since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, village bus drivers have left for better conditions such as city buses or delivery services.
This support project will proceed with hiring selection on the condition of completing training and education. The city will cover the costs necessary for obtaining licenses and provide living support funds, while the Village Bus Association will assist with information on transportation companies and arrange job interviews. Approximately 1.5 million KRW per person will be provided to those holding a large vehicle license, and about 2.5 million KRW, including license acquisition costs, will be supported for those without a license.
To become a village bus driver, one must obtain a Type 1 Large Vehicle Driver’s License and bus driving qualifications, and after acquiring the qualifications, have at least one year of driving experience or complete training and a detailed driving aptitude test. The city will provide 1 million KRW for license qualification acquisition, 100,000 KRW for training support, and 1.18 million KRW in living support during the unpaid training period after hiring. Additionally, a mentoring support fund of 100,000 KRW per month for up to three months will be provided to senior drivers. This is intended to help North Korean defectors adapt to organizational life and maintain long-term employment.
Village bus transportation companies hiring North Korean defectors can also receive government support. The Korea Hana Foundation provides support funds of up to 850,000 KRW per month for up to four months to training companies. Upon completing training at the Hwaseong Transportation Safety Experience Education Center, companies can receive training support funds from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for a minimum of 40 hours and up to 160 hours of training.
Lee Dong-ryul, Director of the Seoul City Administration Bureau, stated, "We hope this support project will provide stable jobs for North Korean defectors seeking employment while resolving the labor shortage in the village bus industry, creating a mutually beneficial outcome."
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