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The Employment Permit System is a system that allows South Korea to systematically hire foreign workers. The system is a partnership between the sending country and South Korea, and is structured to benefit both parties.
Korea is solving its labor shortage through the system, and the sending country is benefiting economically by providing jobs for its citizens.
In this article, we’ll give you an overview of the major sending countries that have an employment permit system, and learn more about how it works through their economic and cultural backgrounds.
Understanding the cultural and historical background of each country is essential to ensure smooth communication between foreign workers and Korean business owners.
Understanding the characteristics of the countries that Korea receives foreign workers through its employment permit system can make cooperation and communication between the two countries more effective.
There are currently 16 countries that have agreements with Korea through the employment license system, and we’ll take a look at their historical and cultural backgrounds.
The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,500 islands, with the capital city of Manila. English and Tagalog are the official languages of the Philippines, and the population is over 100 million.
Despite this population size, the geography of the islands means that there is relatively little arable land, especially in the highlands, where rice terraces are very popular.
The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country in Asia, with 79% of the population practicing Catholicism, which has deep historical roots dating back to the Spanish colonization of the country.
Relations between South Korea and the Philippines officially began in 1949, and the Philippines sent more than 7,000 soldiers to support South Korea during the Korean War. To this day, the two countries continue to strengthen their political, economic, and social ties.
Thailand is a country located in the center of Southeast Asia, with the capital city of Bangkok. Thailand is known as a Buddhist country, with the majority of its citizens practicing Buddhism.
More than just a religious belief, Buddhism has a profound impact on Thai society and culture, which is reflected in the country’s governing philosophy.
Thailand’s climate is hot year-round, but temperatures drop in the northern regions of the country during December and January, when visitors can experience cooler weather.
Thailand experienced the Asian financial crisis in 1997, but has since pursued aggressive industrialization policies and has become one of Asia’s emerging industrial nations. It is particularly prominent in manufacturing and tourism, and plays an important role in the Southeast Asian economy.
South Korea and Thailand established diplomatic relations in 1958 and have strong economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties.
Indonesiais the world’s largest island nation, with nearly 18,000 islands between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The capital is Jakarta, and the official language is Indonesian, but there are many regional languages, including Javanese.
Indonesia is a country rich in natural resources, with deposits of crude oil, natural gas, gold, silver, and more, and has a thriving fisheries industry thanks to its vast waters.
South Korea and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1973 and have enjoyed a close relationship, particularly in the energy sector and trade.
Indonesia continues to have a high economic growth rate and is growing to become one of the economic centers of Southeast Asia.
Vietnam is a country located on the eastern side of the Indochina Peninsula, with its capital in Hanoi. Vietnamese is the official language, and the country has experienced rapid economic development since the Đổi Mới policy, which was implemented in 1986.
This policy introduced a market economy, increased cooperation with foreign capital, and contributed to the establishment of an open economic system.
Vietnam established diplomatic relations with South Korea in 1992 and has since expanded cooperation in many areas, including economy, education, and culture.
In recent years, Korean companies have been active in Vietnam in a variety of industries, including oilfield development, telecommunications, and construction. Vietnam remains an important economy in Southeast Asia with a high economic growth rate.
Sri Lankais an island nation located southeast of India, with the capital city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kottey and the largest city being Colombo. Sinhala and Tamil are the official languages of Sri Lanka, and Buddhism is the predominant religion.
The country has been called the “Pearl of the Orient” for its natural beauty and is a world-renowned producer of black tea, most notably the brand Ceylon Tea, which is named after Ceylon, the former name of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka established diplomatic relations with South Korea in 1977, and economic and cultural exchanges have been ongoing ever since, especially as a labor-sending country, with a steadily increasing number of Sri Lankan workers working in South Korea.
Mongolia is a landlocked country located between China and Russia with a unique terrain of vast grasslands and deserts. The capital is Ulaanbaatar, and Mongolian is the national language.
Mongolia has a dry climate due to its high altitude and distance from the sea, and approximately 44% of the country is desert.
Mongolia is historically known for its nomadic people, who controlled vast territories during the time of Chinggis Khan. Today, however, most people live urban lives, and the economy is dominated by mining and livestock farming.
South Korea and Mongolia established diplomatic relations in 1990 and upgraded to strategic partnership in 2021.
Uzbekistan is a country located in the center of the Eurasian continent in Central Asia, with the capital city of Tashkent. Uzbekistan is a multi-ethnic country, with Uzbeks, Russians, and Koreans living alongside each other and speaking both Uzbek and Russian.
As a former center of the Silk Road, Uzbekistan is a country of historical and cultural significance. The majority of people practice Islam, and religious traditions play a large role in major events such as weddings and funerals.
South Korea and Uzbekistan established diplomatic relations in 1992, and economic and cultural cooperation has flourished since then.
Pakistan is a country located in southwestern Asia, with its capital in Islamabad. English and Urdu are the official languages of Pakistan, along with a number of regional languages.
Pakistan is primarily an agricultural country, producing rice, wheat, cotton, and other major agricultural products, and has recently industrialized and is growing rapidly in light manufacturing, including textiles and food processing.
South Korea and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1983 and have been cooperating in a variety of fields ever since. Pakistan is a geopolitically important country, which makes its cooperation with Korea even more noteworthy.
Cambodia is a country located in Southeast Asia, with the capital city of Phnom Penh. The official language is Khmer, but French, English, and Chinese are also widely spoken.
Cambodia is a country with a long history and traditions, most notably the world-famous Angkor Wat temple. The country’s economy took a new turn in 2005 when oil and natural gas discoveries were made.
Today, oil extraction has begun and is an important driver of the Cambodian economy, with agriculture also playing a large role. Cambodia’s production of key agricultural products has been steadily increasing, and this growth has led to increased economic cooperation with South Korea.
Cambodia and South Korea resumed diplomatic relations in 1997, and since then, a work permit system has given many Cambodians the opportunity to work in South Korea.
China is a major country in East Asia and the most populous country in the world. The capital is Beijing, and the official language is Chinese.
China is made up of 55 ethnic groups, including 91.1% Han Chinese, of which about 1.7 million are ethnic Koreans, making up 1.4% of the country’s ethnic minorities.
China remains economically strong, with the second highest gross domestic product (GDP) in the world. South Korea and China established diplomatic relations in 1992, and have since developed a number of economic partnerships.
Through the employment license system, many Chinese workers are employed in South Korea, contributing significantly to the country’s industrial development.
Bangladesh is a country located in South Asia, bordering northeast India and the Bay of Bengal. The capital is Dhaka, and the official language is Bengali.
Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with approximately 170 million people living in a small area. Bangladesh is a predominantly Muslim country, with the majority of its people practicing Islam.
In the 21st century, Bangladesh has emerged as a fast-growing country, with the garment, leather, and paper industries at the center of its economy.
South Korea and Bangladesh established diplomatic relations in 1973, and since then, Bangladeshis have been given the opportunity to work in South Korea through a work permit program.
Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country located in Central Asia, with the capital city of Bishkek. Kyrgyz and Russian are the official languages of the country, and the country is known as the “Alps” of Central Asia.
The country’s natural beauty has led to a thriving tourism industry, and Kyrgyzstan is rich in gold mines, with gold exports accounting for more than half of the country’s economy.
Diplomatic relations with South Korea were established in 1992, and an employment permit system has given Kyrgyz workers the opportunity to work in South Korea.
These people-to-people exchanges have played an important role in promoting economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries.
Nepal is a landlocked country located south of the Himalayan Mountains, with the capital city of Kathmandu. The official language is Nepali, with a number of other minority tribal languages.
Nepal is a predominantly Hindu country, and has a very developed tourism industry centered around the Himalayan Mountains, with Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain, being located in Nepal, attracting tourists from all over the world.
Agriculture is also an important industry in Nepal, and many of its citizens are involved in farming. Diplomatic relations with South Korea were established in 1974, and since then, Nepalese have had the opportunity to work in South Korea through the employment permit system.
Myanmar is a country located in Southeast Asia, formerly known as Burma. The capital is Naypyidaw, and the official language is Burmese.
Myanmar is a multiethnic country with many different ethnic groups, with the Buddhist Burmese making up 70% of the population. Myanmar is a country rich in rice farming and underground resources, and its economic growth is based on these.
South Korea and Myanmar established diplomatic relations in 1975, and since then, the two countries have been engaged in various cooperative projects. The work permit system allows Myanmar nationals to work in South Korea, further strengthening the relationship between the two countries.
East Timor is a country located at the intersection of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific Ocean, with the capital city of Dili. As a former Portuguese colony, Portuguese and Tetum are the official languages, and Indonesian is also widely spoken.
The majority of the population is Catholic. Timor-Leste has a rapidly growing economy, fueled by underground resources such as oil and natural gas, and is one of the world’s leading producers of organic coffee through Fairtrade.
Diplomatic relations with South Korea were established in 2002, and a work permit system has since provided opportunities for East Timorese to work in South Korea.
Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, China, and Myanmar. The capital is Vientiane, and the official language is Lao. Laos is a country of many different ethnic groups, with approximately 50 officially recognized ethnic groups.
The majority of the population is engaged in agriculture, with major agricultural exports including tin, timber, and coffee. Laos also has a well-preserved natural environment, and its tourism industry is growing rapidly.
Water tourism on rivers and temple tours are very popular. Korea and Laos re-established diplomatic relations in 1995, and since then, the employment permit system has provided opportunities for Laotians to work in Korea.
Understanding and respecting each country’s cultural and economic background plays an important role in creating a stable environment for foreign workers to live and work in Korea.
This creates a “win-win” situation for employers, workers, and both countries. The employment authorization system is a solid foundation to support Korea’s economic growth, and we look forward to working with more countries to expand its scope in the future.
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