Goryeong County Partners with Vietnamese Manpower Corporation to Attract Foreign Professionals

Expectations for Resolving Labor Shortages in Manufacturing Through E7 Visa
Expanding Cooperation for Seasonal Agricultural Workers

Goryeong County in North Gyeongsang Province has launched a full-scale effort to attract foreign professional manpower by partnering with Vietnam International Human Resources Corporation SOVILACO, aiming to address chronic labor shortages in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors.

Goryeong County is signing a business agreement with Vietnam International Human Resources Corporation to attract foreign professional manpower. Photo by Goryeong County

Goryeong County recently signed a business agreement with SOVILACO to attract foreign professional manpower.

This agreement is a strategic measure to resolve labor shortages faced by local businesses and small merchants, and to expand the introduction of skilled foreign workers. It is notable in that it seeks to recruit mainly professionals and skilled workers by utilizing the E7 visa.

Currently, a total of 2,214 registered foreigners reside in Goryeong County, with 77.1% of them working in industrial fields such as manufacturing and agriculture. Notably, 63% are men in their 20s and 30s, demonstrating that foreign workers have already become a core labor force in the local industries. However, many companies and farms still face difficulties in securing highly reliable and skilled workers.

Under the agreement, SOVILACO will provide comprehensive support, from matching pre-trained skilled workers to post-placement management, tailored to the needs of Goryeong County businesses. Goryeong County will be responsible for administrative procedures, business coordination, and demand surveys.

In addition, the county has signed additional business agreements with Bac Giang Province and Yen Bai Province in Vietnam to attract seasonal workers in the agricultural sector, thereby diversifying its manpower supply channels. Through these efforts, the county expects to help address rural aging issues and stabilize the supply of labor during peak farming seasons.

County Governor Lee Namcheol stated, "This agreement marks the starting point for Goryeong County to begin full-scale support for the manufacturing sector by attracting skilled foreign workers. Going forward, we aim to establish a sustainable manpower base across local industries such as agriculture and manufacturing, and hope this will serve as a turning point to enhance regional competitiveness."