S.Korea needs 35,000 additional foreign workers: study

The South Korean government plans to issue non-professional employment (E-9) visas to 165,000 foreign workers this year.

However, claims have arisen from small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies stating a shortage of an additional 35,000 workers.

The Korea Federation of SMEs presented an Investigation on Employment of Foreign Workers targeting 1,200 small- and medium-sized manufacturers on Monday, analyzing the situation in this way.

In a survey regarding the stay period of foreign workers (up to 9 years and 8 months), 53.5% of small- and medium-sized enterprises expressed the opinion that an extension of five years or more is necessary.

Regarding the most significant challenges in managing foreign workers, communication in Korean emerged as the top concern, with 49.7% affirming it.

Write to Jeong-Seon Lee at leeway@hankyung.com