Foreign Worker Count Hits Record High in Korea

The number of Employment Permit System (E-9) foreign workers in Korea's industrial sites has reached a record high of 287,000, exceeding the previous peak. This surge in foreign workforce is a result of the government's expansion of the introduction quota to tackle the labor shortage. However, the excessive concentration in certain industries and the disparity between supply and demand continue to pose challenges.

According to data from the Ministry of Employment and Labor, 287,424 foreign workers under the E-9 system were residing in Korea by July of this year. This figure has steadily increased over the years, reaching 159,463 in 2021, 203,121 in 2022, and 247,191 in 2023. The manufacturing industry dominates the foreign workforce with 229,844 workers, constituting 80.0% of the total, followed by agriculture and livestock with 33,878 (11.8%) and the fishing industry with 15,441 (5.4%).

The construction and service industries remain relatively underserved. Despite the labor shortage, the service industry's employment threshold remains high, with only 333 out of 564 applicants issued employment permits as of July, accounting for a minimal 59.0% issuance rate. The construction industry, meanwhile, has been severely impacted by the economic downturn, with only 683 permit applications, a mere one-third of the initial 2,000 quota.

The government's response to the labor shortage included a significant increase in the new introduction quota to 165,000 in 2024, but due to the economic slowdown, it was reduced to 80,000 for the current year. However, experts argue that merely adjusting the quantity of foreign workers is insufficient, and a more nuanced approach is required to address the specific industry disparities.