Establishing a Dedicated Recruitment Platform for Former USFK Service Members
Job Matching Between Former Service Members and Korean Companies in the US
Talent Acquisition, Local Employment, Tax Benefits, and CSR All in One
On September 17, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Korea-US Alliance Foundation at the Chamber's headquarters to support the employment of former US Forces Korea (USFK) service members and to promote Korea-US cooperation.
The signing ceremony was attended by Park Iljun, Executive Vice Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Lim Hoyoung, Chairman of the Korea-US Alliance Foundation; and Robert Abrams, President of the USFK Veterans Association and former 16th Commander of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command, among others.
This agreement was pursued to contribute to the expansion of practical cooperation and exchanges between Korea and the United States. Under the agreement, the two organizations will support job matching between Korean companies operating in the United States and former USFK service members through an online recruitment platform. The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be responsible for operating the platform and promoting it to companies, while the Korea-US Alliance Foundation will provide information and encourage participation among service members. Additionally, both organizations agreed to continue identifying and collaborating on various initiatives that align with the purpose of the agreement.
Regarding the agreement, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry stated that it is developing a recruitment platform for former USFK service members. The platform is scheduled to officially launch in October, and ahead of this, the Chamber will begin full-scale promotion, including introducing the platform at the Korea-US Alliance Conference held on September 17.
The platform will allow Korean companies operating in the United States to post job openings, and service members who have completed or are about to complete their service with USFK can submit their resumes and apply directly. Through this, former service members will be provided with quality civilian job opportunities, while Korean companies will be able to connect with talented individuals who possess responsibility and adaptability to organizational culture.
This initiative is expected to provide Korean companies not only with access to outstanding talent but also with tangible business advantages. This is because both the US federal and state governments offer various incentives to companies that hire former military personnel. Notably, the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program, jointly administered by the US Department of Labor and the Department of the Treasury, provides companies with a tax credit of up to $9,600 per hired veteran. Millions of hires are certified under this program each year, reflecting its active operation.
Through this system, Korean companies operating in the United States can expect to secure talent, enhance management efficiency, expand local employment, and improve their corporate image by fulfilling social responsibilities.
In his remarks, Park Iljun, Executive Vice Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, "Over the past decade, many Korean companies have actively invested in the United States, establishing local production bases, and the number of high-paying, quality jobs they offer has significantly increased. For former USFK service members, this initiative provides access to excellent jobs, while Korean companies can hire talent who are not only diligent but also have an understanding of Korean culture, making this a win-win project for both sides."
Lim Hoyoung, Chairman of the Korea-US Alliance Foundation, stated, "Considering that approximately 28,500 USFK service members are currently stationed in Korea, this agreement is expected to boost morale among the troops and serve as a meaningful reward for their service in Korea. I hope that this agreement will make service in Korea even more desirable for USFK members and further strengthen the Korea-US alliance." Yoon Chulmin, Director General of International Trade at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, added, "The ultimate goal of this platform is to create an ecosystem where employment connections between former service members and Korean companies in the United States are continuously established. We will continue to enhance the platform by reflecting the voices of both companies and service members, striving to deliver tangible results for all parties involved."
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