Gokseong's Active Push for Regional Specialized Visa Project Draws Attention

Foreign Nationals "Inflow" to Address Population Decline and Labor Shortages
County and Jeonnam Science University Sign Mutual Agreement for Settlement Support
E74R Applications Open Until December, F2R Until September Next Year
"Policies to Encourage Outstanding Foreign Nationals to Settle in the Region"

(Photo from left) Jeollanam-do-Gokseong County Agricultural and Industrial Complex Council meeting, visit to resident companies within the agricultural and industrial complex, promotion of the regional specialized visa project, promotional leaflet for the regional specialized visa project. Provided by Gokseong County

Gokseong County in Jeollanam-do (Governor Cho Sangrae) is drawing attention for actively attracting outstanding foreign nationals through the regional specialized visa project as a response to population decline and labor shortages.

According to the county on June 3, the regional specialized visa project aims to stably settle outstanding foreign nationals in key local industries, universities, and jobs, thereby addressing population issues and revitalizing the local economy. The county was allocated 54 slots for this project at the beginning of this year.

The chronic issues of workforce shortages at local companies due to the outflow of young people and a lack of labor in farming households caused by rural aging have persisted. In response, the county signed a memorandum of understanding with Laos in 2023 to introduce foreign seasonal workers, and between February and July last year, supported 1,728 workers across 187 farms. From this year, Gokseong, Okgwa, and Seokgok agricultural cooperatives have joined the program, further expanding the number of seasonal workers.

In addition to public seasonal workers, the county plans to utilize the regional specialized visa to address labor shortages at local companies. Even before the introduction of the regional specialized visa in 2023, the county had recognized the labor shortage issue among local companies and, together with Jeonnam Science University and the Agricultural and Industrial Complex Council, began discussions on nurturing foreign workers. This year, full-scale cooperation to attract and settle outstanding foreign nationals has begun.

This year, Jeonnam Science University established the Department of Global Convergence and recruited 20 foreign students. The department operates a curriculum to train welding specialists, tailored to the characteristics of the local industry, which has a high proportion of metal processing and manufacturing businesses.

Additionally, to help students adapt to Korean culture and develop into outstanding talent, the curriculum includes courses on Korean language proficiency, Korean culture, and character development. To meet the needs of companies and help students acquire practical welding skills required at actual worksites, the county connects local agricultural and industrial complex companies with international students to increase on-site training hours, and from the second semester of the second year, early employment opportunities will be provided.

So far, 14 foreign nationals have completed the conversion to the regional specialized skilled workforce (E74R) visa. Those who convert to this visa can invite family members and spouses for employment, and are required to reside in Gokseong for three years.

Applications for the regional specialized outstanding talent (F2R) visa are accepted on a rolling basis until September next year, while applications for the regional specialized skilled workforce (E74R) visa are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until December this year. For application and further details, inquiries should be directed to the Population Policy and Local Extinction Response Team.

A county official stated, "Foreign immigration policy has become an unavoidable reality in responding to population decline," and added, "We will actively work to develop various policies so that many outstanding foreign nationals with Korean language proficiency and strong work capabilities can settle in our region and become members of the local community."