Justice Minister stresses active immigration key growth driver for Korea

Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon speaks at the Jeju Forum of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry on July 15. [Photo provided by KCCI]

Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon highlights active immigration as a catalyst for South Korea’s new economic growth, likening it to the transformative land reform implemented during President Rhee Syngman’s administration.

The successful land reform in 1950, which empowered tenant farmers to become independent small farm owners, laid the groundwork for the country’s economic development.

Speaking at the Jeju Forum of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Saturday, Han emphasized the need for social reforms, including immigration, to create a foundation for citizen happiness and entrepreneurial innovation. He stated that population decline is a complex issue that cannot be solved by fertility recovery policies alone, underscoring the importance of immigration and immigration policies for South Korea’s future.

Particularly, Han stressed the necessity of prioritizing the recruitment of talented foreign workers with specialized knowledge as a national policy priority. Noting that South Korea is home to industry giants such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, he acknowledged the current shortcomings in attracting highly skilled IT workers due to residency predictability issues. Han pledged to address this by rectifying the visa system, which currently treats highly skilled IT workers and unskilled laborers under the same track.

In contrast to the E-9 visa, which has a maximum validity of four years and ten months, the E-7-4 visa allows skilled workers to apply for continuous extensions without leaving the country. However, critics argue that the number of applicants remains low compared to market demand, and the visa requirements are stringent. Last year, only 2,000 E-7-4 visas were issued.

Han outlined plans to significantly increase the number of E-7-4 visas granted annually, from 1,000 during the previous administration to 35,000. He also emphasized providing priority for E-7-4 upgrades to foreign workers who have demonstrated their abilities under the E-9 visa. Han highlighted proficiency in the Korean language as an incentive for transitioning from E-9 to E-7-4, as it plays a crucial role in foreigners integrating successfully into Korean society. He expressed the need to encourage individuals proficient in Korean from other countries to consider immigrating to Korea.