South Korea slashes budget to support foreign laborers, even as workforce grows



Analysis South Korea slashes budget to support foreign laborers, even as workforce grows Dozens of support centers set to close after Yoon administration cuts millions in funding, provoking widespread concern Joon Ha ParkDecember 26, 2023 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Foreign workers wait to receive free consultation services at a Korea Support Center for Foreign Workers office in Seoul, June 2023 \| Image: Korea Support Center for Foreign Workers The Yoon administration’s 2024 budget completely dropped funding for foreign worker support centers, and the move has serious implications for South Korea as it prepares to welcome over 165,000 foreign workers next year. This decision represents a significant reversal from the previous $5.3 million (7 billion won) allocated for the centers in 2023, and it risks depriving workers of essential support services. The Yoon administration’s 2024 budget completely dropped funding for foreign worker support centers, and the move has serious implications for South Korea as it prepares to welcome over 165,000 foreign workers next year. This decision represents a significant reversal from the previous $5.3 million (7 billion won) allocated for the centers in 2023, and it risks depriving workers of essential support services. Get 30 days of free access to KoreaPro Full access to all analysis The KOREA PRO newsletter, every business day Daily analysis on the top story of the day The ability to suggest topics for coverage by our specialist team Be smart about South Korea Get full access to expert analysis and opinion. Start now No charges during your trial. Cancel anytime. A paid subscription will start after 30 days. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Briefing Start your day with the South Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily Briefing. LATEST ANALYSIS 01South Korea’s women-only universities weigh co-education as enrollments decline 02South Korea targets semiconductor self-reliance for national defense 03Employment for married South Korean women hits record but Devil is in details 04Trump’s return forces South Korea’s defense industry to adapt to new realities 05Lee Jae-myung verdict disrupts South Korea’s opposition party and 2027 election 06South Korea grapples with how to stymie crypto-fueled drug trade 07Science vs. Humanities: Why South Korean students switch their academic tracks 08How pro-Russian hackers took down South Korea websites over support for Ukraine

Analysis

South Korea slashes budget to support foreign laborers, even as workforce grows

Dozens of support centers set to close after Yoon administration cuts millions in funding, provoking widespread concern

Joon Ha ParkDecember 26, 2023

South Korea slashes budget to support foreign laborers, even as workforce grows

Foreign workers wait to receive free consultation services at a Korea Support Center for Foreign Workers office in Seoul, June 2023 | Image: Korea Support Center for Foreign Workers

The Yoon administration’s 2024 budget completely dropped funding for foreign worker support centers, and the move has serious implications for South Korea as it prepares to welcome over 165,000 foreign workers next year.

This decision represents a significant reversal from the previous $5.3 million (7 billion won) allocated for the centers in 2023, and it risks depriving workers of essential support services.

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South Korea slashes budget to support foreign laborers, even as workforce grows

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Joon Ha Park

South Korea slashes budget to support foreign laborers, even as workforce grows

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