Seongju-gun Launches Dedicated "Rural Workforce Support Team" for Foreign Seasonal Workers

Building an Advanced Management System from Workforce Introduction to Post-Assignment Support

Seongju-gun has undertaken a comprehensive overhaul of its existing administrative system and established a dedicated organization, the "Rural Workforce Support Team," to ensure the stable operation of the foreign seasonal worker program and to create a sustainable agricultural environment. This marks the beginning of a full-scale management innovation initiative.

Previously, the work related to foreign seasonal workers was managed by a team within the Agricultural Policy Division. However, as the scale of the program has expanded and the need for more effective management has increased, there have been persistent calls from the field for a more professional and systematic management structure.

In response, Seongju-gun has redefined the foreign seasonal worker program as a core agricultural infrastructure policy, rather than a simple supplementary measure, and has made a decisive move to reorganize its structure and workforce from the ground up.

Provided by Seongju County

◆ Launch of the Dedicated "Rural Workforce Support Team"

The newly launched Rural Workforce Support Team is led by a Grade 5 director and consists of two sub-teams: Workforce Team 1 and Workforce Team 2. Including the director, a total of 17 dedicated staff members will be responsible for managing all aspects of the foreign seasonal worker program.

The team is composed of one director, two sub-team leaders (one for each team), six regular staff members, five interpreters, and three contract-based personnel. This represents a significant expansion in both workforce size and expertise compared to the previous team-based structure.

Going forward, the Rural Workforce Support Team will oversee the entire process of the foreign seasonal worker program within a unified system.

This structure allows for systematic management of every stage, including workforce demand surveys, coordination with overseas sending agencies, matching employers and workers, managing visa application documents, supporting arrivals, assigning workers to farms, inspecting accommodations, managing working conditions, providing counseling for difficulties, post-assignment management, and repatriation support.

This is not merely an administrative convenience, but rather a reflection of Seongju-gun's commitment to building a management system that both foreign workers and local farmers can trust.

◆ Strengthening Field-Oriented Management Following the Relay Campaign

Previously, Seongju-gun initiated a relay campaign to improve employer awareness regarding foreign seasonal workers, which helped open the door to greater understanding among employers. Since then, the county has actively strengthened its field-oriented post-management system.

In the second half of 2025, accommodation inspections and worker interviews were conducted three times for 239 farms, focusing on problem-solving rather than simple administrative checks.

Deficiencies in heating, ventilation, hygiene, and safety facilities within accommodations were addressed, and workers' complaints and difficulties regarding their living and working conditions were directly heard and resolved in cooperation with employers.

As a result, both farmers and workers commented that "the administration has come to the field" and that the support provided was "substantive, not just formal."

Seongju-gun plans to make this field-oriented management experience the guiding principle for the operation of the Rural Workforce Support Team, maintaining a robust management system through regular inspections and on-demand counseling.

◆ Systematic Preparation for the Introduction of Workers in the First Half of 2026

For the introduction of foreign seasonal workers in the first half of 2026, Seongju-gun initially received applications from 1,015 farms for a total of 2,128 workers, based on a workforce demand survey.

After comprehensively considering work processing standards and manageable scope, the final allocation was set at 1,684 workers for 986 farms.

This figure reflects the allocation results provided by the Ministry of Justice in mid-December 2025. Seongju-gun prioritized quality and stability of management over simply meeting demand, applying reasonable adjustments accordingly.

In particular, by the end of January 2026, the county plans to introduce 376 Laotian workers to 212 farms in the first phase. The Rural Workforce Support Team is meticulously preparing every step, including employer-worker matching, input and review of visa application documents, on-site accommodation inspections, and assignment planning.

Given the large-scale movement of personnel within a short period, even a minor mistake could cause significant inconvenience for both farmers and workers. Therefore, all staff members of the Rural Workforce Support Team are carrying out their work with heightened vigilance each day.

◆ Changes Brought by the Dedicated Organizational Structure

The launch of the Rural Workforce Support Team will bring five structural changes to the foreign seasonal worker program in Seongju-gun.

The stability and reliability of the worker introduction process will be greatly improved, and the expansion of interpreter staff will significantly enhance communication between workers and the administration, as well as between workers and farmers.

Additionally, pre-inspections of accommodations and working conditions will help prevent accidents and disputes, while a strengthened post-management system will reduce the risk of worker departures and complaints.

Finally, employers will be able to focus more on agricultural management by reducing their administrative burden.

This system provides a safe and respectful working environment for foreign seasonal workers, stable labor supply and management stability for farmers, and a trustworthy agricultural administration system for the local community.

◆ Seongju-gun's External Message

Through the launch of the Rural Workforce Support Team, Seongju-gun is sending a clear message to relevant agencies such as the Immigration Office, the Ministry of Justice, and overseas sending organizations.

Seongju-gun emphasizes its role as a responsible local government that manages the entire process of the foreign seasonal worker program-from introduction and management to protection and mutual benefit-serving as a leading model in the field.

This is not simply a promotional effort, but is expected to serve as a crucial foundation for Seongju-gun to be recognized as a trusted partner in future policy discussions and allocation processes regarding foreign seasonal workers.

◆ Establishing a Foundation for a Sustainable Seongju Melon Industry

Going forward, Seongju-gun plans to operate a year-round post-management system centered on the Rural Workforce Support Team, institutionalize employer education, strengthen accommodation standards, build a system to protect workers' rights and interests, and implement a phased policy linking certification and incentives for outstanding farms.

The county aims to develop the foreign seasonal worker program not merely as a means of labor supply, but as a core policy asset to enhance the competitiveness of the Seongju melon industry.

Seongju-gun will continue to uphold the values of "agriculture that respects people and rural communities that grow together," striving to complete a new rural workforce management model built collaboratively by the administration and the field.