Foreign job seekers flock to South Korea, with the number rising more than 25 percent year-on-year in 2023, reaching the second-largest figure ever recorded, according to data released Thursday.
Statistics Korea reported that 173,000 of the 480,000 incoming foreigners came for employment, marking a 36.1 percent increase.
This growth can be attributed to the government’s expansion of the quota for non-professional employment visas (E-9) and the easing of rules on the employment of overseas Koreans. The data highlights that Korea saw its largest number of foreign job seekers in 2008, with 176,000 arrivals.
Breaking down the influx further, 21 percent of the foreign entrants came for short-term stays, 17.3 percent for study and training programs, and 12.1 percent for marriage and permanent residency. By nationality, the largest groups of foreign entrants were from China (132,000), Vietnam (71,000), and Thailand (35,000).
In addition to the increase in incoming foreign job seekers, the number of foreigners leaving Korea also rose by 30.5 percent to 319,000, resulting in a net inflow of 161,000 foreigners. Meanwhile, 219,000 Korean nationals returned to the country, and 258,000 left, leading to a net outflow of 39,000 Koreans.
Overall, the number of international migrants, including both Korean passport holders and foreigners, rose by 13.5 percent to 1.28 million in 2023. This figure includes those who stayed in the country for more than 90 days.
The number of international entrants climbed by 15.2 percent to 698,000, while those who left the country increased by 11.4 percent to 577,000, resulting in a net inflow of 121,000. This marks the second yearly gain following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The substantial rise in foreign job seekers highlights Korea’s growing appeal as a destination for employment opportunities, reflecting the country’s dynamic labor market and favorable immigration policies.
