Jeongseon County Begins Accepting Applications for Foreign Seasonal Workers Next Year... Hopes to Alleviate Rural Labor Shortage

Jeongseon County in Gangwon Province announced on September 30 that it will accept applications for foreign seasonal workers for 2026 from September 29 to October 28, in order to address the chronic labor shortage in rural areas and support stable farming operations.

Jeongseon County Office building.

This application process is open to farmers and agricultural corporations registered as agricultural business entities and residing within the county. Each employer may apply for up to nine workers. Employers can choose between two types of employment: hiring workers from Laos or the Philippines through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Jeongseon County, or inviting family members of marriage immigrants residing in the county from their home countries. The maximum employment period is eight months.

Notably, starting in 2026, under the Ministry of Justice’s basic plan, relatives within the fourth degree of kinship of marriage immigrants will be excluded from the recommendation list, while re-entry recommendations will be exceptionally allowed for workers who have demonstrated diligent work performance.

Farmers wishing to hire foreign seasonal workers must prepare the required documents, including the application form and agricultural business registration certificate, and submit them in person at the administrative welfare center in their respective towns or townships.

Foreign seasonal workers will be guaranteed at least the 2026 minimum wage (10,320 won per hour), and employers will be required to provide at least 35 working hours per week and suitable accommodation. The accommodation must be equipped with essential facilities such as heating and cooling, a shower, a toilet, cooking facilities, and a fire extinguisher. Renovated greenhouses or warehouses are not permitted as accommodation. In addition, strict management will be enforced regarding employer obligations, including enrollment in industrial accident insurance, protection of human rights, and prohibition of wage arrears.

The county plans to assign foreign seasonal workers after undergoing allocation reviews and procedures by the Ministry of Justice early next year, with workers entering the country and being assigned to farms in stages starting in April 2026.

Jeon Sanggeun, head of the Agricultural Policy Division, said, "The foreign seasonal worker program is playing a significant role in addressing the aging rural population and labor shortages," adding, "We will continue to do our best to operate the system in a way that satisfies both farmers and workers."