- Eligible Sectors Include Seedling Production, Silviculture, and Timber Harvesting

The Korea Forest Service (KFS), under the leadership of Minister LIM Sang-seop, has announced the introduction of the Employment Permit System for specific forestry industries. From August 5 to 16, domestic businesses in the forestry sector can apply to recruit foreign workers under the non-professional employment visa (E-9).

To be eligible, businesses must have unsuccessfully attempted to recruit domestic workers for at least seven days via job postings on WorkNet, the official employment website run by the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

Businesses applying for the Employment Permit System must meet several criteria. They must not have forced any domestic workers to leave within two months prior to the application date. Additionally, they must ensure timely payment of wages and provide employment insurance and industrial disaster insurance for their workers.

Eligible entities, as defined by the Korean Standard Industrial Classification, include those in seedling production, silviculture, timber harvesting, forestry-related services, national forest management units, wood production industries, as well as forestry cooperatives and the National Forestry Cooperatives Federation.

Applications can be submitted through ‘Employment24’ (www.work24.go.kr) or the Employment Permit System website (www.eps.go.kr) from August 5 to 16. First-time applicants must visit their respective Regional Ministry of Employment and Labor offices to confirm their information and complete the registration process.

After the permits are issued, the foreign workers must undergo essential employment training at the Human Resources Development Service of Korea or other designated institutions. Following this, they are required to complete a four-week 'Forestry Education' program at the Forest Inventory Center to develop the necessary skills and knowledge. Upon completion, they will be employed by the respective businesses.

Director KIM Jeombok of the Forest Safety, Health & Job Team stated, "I anticipate that the introduction of young foreign talent will alleviate the employment shortages in the forestry sector. I will continue to seek policies that address on-the-ground needs, thereby revitalizing the forestry sector and its industries."