Government officials said Wednesday that ethnic Koreans living in China and Russia will be allowed to enter and work in South Korea for up to three years.
Some 50,000 ethnic Koreans are estimated to be living and working illegally in South Korea. They are granted visitor visas after proving they have relatives living in the country.
The new visa system, due to take effect in March, allows "countrymen" from China and Russia to enter South Korea and stay up to five years, including three years of employment, the Ministry of Justice said.
Under the new policy, however, the ethnic Koreans will be obliged to take a Korean language test before entering, while a quota will be applied to those without relatives here, the ministry officials said.
South Korea is understaffed in such work areas as service and construction, which are often characterized by tough working conditions. Migrant workers including ethnic Koreans from China and Russia fill the shortage of labor in those areas.
Seoul, Jan. 3 (Yonhap News)
S. Korea to allow work visas for ethnic Koreans abroad |
