Newsnomics AJAY ANGELINA reporter|

South Korea is going to improve the visa system for technologically advanced talent from overseas to improve national competitiveness, as well as increasing the quota for skilled workforce to resolve the recruitment shortage in industrial sites announced the ministry of justice.

South Korean ministry of justice and KAIST, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology held a meeting on enhancing support for the recruitment and retention of outstanding international talents in Science and Technology in Daejeon on November 21, 2023.

Han Dong-hoon, the minister of justice visited the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology(KAIST) and personally met with the KAIST’s President Gwang-hyung Lee, foreign professors, researchers, and international master's and doctoral students.

The purpose of meeting was to listen the difficulties faced by excellent foreign researchers and reflect them in improving the visa system so that they can stay in Korea and conduct research activities stably.

After the meeting, participants got an opportunity to directly experience KAIST's outstanding technology by participating in a demonstration of the four-legged robot HOUND* and RAIBO**.

* HOUND carries Fast speed of up to 20km/h, strong against external shocks and capable of dynamic motion.

** RAIBO is Agile and strong even on irregular terrain such as stairs or sand.

The Ministry of Justice is improving the visa system to attract outstanding talent from overseas to improve national competitiveness, while also increasing the quota for skilled workers (E-7-4) from 2,000 last year to 35,000. 

“We are making efforts to contribute to national development in terms of visas, such as expanding to 17.5 times this year, to resolve the recruitment shortage in industrial sites” said the ministry of justice.

In addition, the ministry of justice is going to provide step-by-step incentives through the visa system, such as upgrades, to foreigners who are helpful to the Republic of Korea and who respect law and order. On the other hand, the ministry of justice has announced the strict action against illegal residents.

Justice minister Han Dong-hoon said, “South Korea needs international students, most of whom are in their 20s, who can stay in Korea until they turn 60 to 70 years old, can contribute to national interests and the development of science and technology.”

“We must provide unprecedented preferential treatment, and the fast-track system for permanent residence and naturalization in the field of science and technology implemented in January of this year.”

“We will reflect the various opinions coming from the field today in ‘improving the visa system for technologically advanced talent” he added.

Furthermore, he said, “we will push for the establishment of the Immigration Management Office in order to achieve a balanced immigration policy that not only attracts outstanding overseas talent but also expands the skilled workforce.”