Journalist

Hoang Phuong Ly
  • South Korea expands visa programs to lure foreign talent
    South Korea expands visa programs to lure foreign talent SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - Amid a global race to attract top talent, South Korea is opening its doors to international professionals through a series of new policies, especially those from Asian countries where South Korean companies already have production networks and academic partnerships. Internship program for foreign talent Earlier this week, the Ministry of Justice introduced the so-called "K-Trainee" program, which is designed to help South Korean companies find and foster potential foreign talent before formally hiring them. The program, set to be piloted for two years, will focus on nine Asian countries - China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam - where South Korean companies have their branches, factories, and other facilities. Those eligible include students in their third year or higher including those pursuing master's or doctoral degrees who are enrolled at universities with training partnerships with South Korean companies in their home countries, as well as professionals working at overseas subsidiaries of South Korean companies in 77 occupations eligible for E-7-1 and E-7-2 visas. They will be invited to take part in a professional internship program in South Korea for a certain period, helping them become familiar with the local working environment. The ministry said that through this program, businesses can quickly retain "reliable" foreign workers to meet their needs, while foreign talent can enhance their practical skills and have the opportunity to build their careers here. At the same time, requirements for the issuance of a D-10 visa, which allows foreign graduates to engage in professional internships, were eased to extend the maximum length of stay from two years to three years, both for those in South Korea and abroad. For applicants from the world's top 200 universities or the top 1,000 universities for engineering majors in the aforementioned Asian countries, Korean language proficiency requirements and visa procedures are either reduced or waived. Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho said, "This internship program will enable companies to quickly find the talent they need, while top foreign jobseekers can enhance their practical skills and grow into a driving force for future growth here." Program for high-skilled foreign workers Another special visa program for top professionals, called the "K-STAR Visa Track," was introduced early last month to attract talent in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The program allows highly qualified foreign experts, researchers, and professors in key fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, next-generation batteries, and biotechnology to receive long-term visas as well as several incentives to support their settlement here. Its fast-track visa process enables outstanding scientists and experts to remain in South Korea after just three years of work, instead of the normally required five years. South Korea aims to attract at least 400 such STEM professionals each year through this program. To facilitate this, research institutes, universities, and conglomerates such as Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, and Hyundai Motor are participating. Since March this year, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has also been running an online platform to connect international professionals and provide useful information on housing, daily life, and other administrative procedures, in cooperation with relevant companies. Global race to attract top talent After the U.S. raised H-1B visa fees to a whopping $100,000, countries such as China, Japan, Singapore, and the U.K. have moved quickly to either launch or strengthen policies to retain top-tier professionals. Japan has maintained a similar program since 2012, allowing applicants to apply for permanent residence after just one year if they reach a certain amount of points. However, many restrictions still exist due to language and cultural barriers. Singapore has a program called the "Global Investor Programme (GIP)" for international investors. Although it is not exactly aimed at recruiting professional workers, it demonstrates a strategy to attract both capital and top talent. Singapore, where English is widely spoken, makes it easier to attract talented workers than many other Asian countries, although its market size and industrial base are somewhat smaller than South Korea’s in terms of manufacturing. Since 2009, China has been operating a program dubbed the "Thousand Talents Plan," an initiative that aims to attract foreign scientists by providing various benefits including funding for research. In 2013, China introduced the "R visa" to attract top talent, and recently the State Council announced plans to issue a "K visa" for young foreign scientists and technical experts. The "K visa" targets young foreigners who have graduated from renowned universities or research institutions, both at home and abroad, and hold a bachelor's degree or higher in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. Applicants must meet the conditions set by the Chinese government and submit the required documents. "K visa" holders will be able to engage not only in the fields of education, culture, science, and technology after entry, but also in related startups and business activities. Compared to these countries, South Korea is pursuing a two-tier strategy: the K-Trainee program to attract young skilled foreign talent who are in the learning stage or have just begun working, and the K-STAR Visa to invite highly qualified experts ready to contribute immediately to strategic industries. According to a study conducted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, together with researchers led by Professor Kim Duk-pa of Korea University and released in August, attracting 1 million skilled foreign workers could boost South Korea's GDP by 6 percent, equivalent to roughly 145 trillion won ($104.3 billion). "When highly skilled foreign experts with specialized knowledge come to South Korea, it's not just about population growth. It also boosts consumption and can maximize the economic ripple effect by improving labor productivity, enhancing industrial competitiveness, and promoting the industrial structure," said Kim. 2025-10-29 17:46:57
  • Abduction scare clouds Koreas top winter travel destinations in Southeast Asia
    Abduction scare clouds Korea's top winter travel destinations in Southeast Asia SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) -Growing reports of kidnappings and detentions involving South Koreans in Cambodia are fueling widespread anxiety among travelers, casting a shadow over Southeast Asia’s peak winter tourism season. According to Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the number of South Korean citizens abducted or detained in Cambodia has surged from 36 cases between 2021 and 2023 to 221 in 2024, and 330 cases in just the first eight months of this year — many linked to online fraud and scam centers. Public concern deepened after the body of a 22-year-old South Korean student, who disappeared during a trip in July, was discovered near Bokor Mountain showing signs of torture. In another recent case, a 50-year-old man was kidnapped and tortured in Phnom Penh. Amid escalating fears, Seoul issued its strongest travel advisory to date. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday imposed a Level-4 “travel ban” on Kampot’s Bokor Mountain area and the border cities of Bavet and Poipet, designating them as no-travel zones. Sihanoukville was placed under Level-3 (“advisory to leave the area”), while other regions — including Phnom Penh — were categorized as Level-2 or 2.5 (“special travel advisory”). The ministry warned that citizens who defy the ban could face penalties under the Passport Law. Although Cambodia is a relatively minor destination compared with Da Nang or Phuket, the incidents have triggered broader unease across the region. Social media posts and travel forums have amplified unverified rumors of “cross-border kidnappings” in Thailand and Vietnam, prompting some Korean families to cancel trips even to destinations not covered by official warnings. Data from major travel agencies underscore Southeast Asia’s weight in Korea’s outbound tourism market. Hana Tour reported that in the fourth quarter of 2024, Southeast Asian packages accounted for 45 percent of total bookings, while Modetour saw the share exceed 58 percent in December. The region’s warm climate, affordability, and proximity have long made it a top choice for Korean travelers during winter. For now, industry players say the immediate impact on bookings remains limited. A Modetour official noted, “There are no direct flights to Siem Reap, so demand was already low. We haven’t received any cancellations.” Hana Tour echoed that sentiment, saying, “Phnom Penh is mainly a business destination. While inquiries have increased, we don’t expect mass cancellations.” Still, airlines are on alert. T’way Air, which had planned charter flights from Incheon and Busan to Siem Reap from Dec. 19 through March 2026, is monitoring conditions closely. “We have not altered our schedule yet, but changes are possible depending on developments,” a company representative said. Korean Air, meanwhile, said it would exempt cancellation fees in response to heightened safety concerns, though it has no plans to alter its seven-day-a-week flight schedule to Phnom Penh. Travel agencies are reinforcing safety protocols. The Korea Association of Travel Agents (KATA) said it has distributed updated safety guidelines to member companies in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. “Most of the incidents involve individual travelers. Package tours with guides remain relatively safe,” the association said. The government is also strengthening law enforcement cooperation with Phnom Penh. Earlier this week, National Security Office Director Wi Seong-rak announced the launch of a Cambodia–Korea Joint Task Force to crack down on online scam syndicates and expedite support for victims. Seoul is considering providing official development assistance to bolster Cambodia’s policing capacity and expand South Korean police presence in high-risk areas. A senior tourism official said, “Crime and illegal prostitution remain issues not only in Cambodia but across Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. If such incidents persist, the region’s long-term appeal for Korean travelers could inevitably decline.” 2025-10-17 11:04:07
  • Korean retailers double down on SE Asian foray amid weak demand at home
    Korean retailers double down on SE Asian foray amid weak demand at home SEOUL, October 1 (AJP) - Faced with lengthy depression in domestic demand at home, Korean retailers have been aggressive in their outreach and expansion in the Asian market, riding on the popularity of Korean contents and food. Pivot Asia has become the common strategy for Korean retailers spanning from fashion houses to convenience stores. Lotte Shopping is accelerating its overseas business with 'Lotte Mall Westlake Hanoi', based in Hanoi, Vietnam. Since opening two years ago, the outlet has drawn 25 million visitors, generated 600 billion won (more than $420 million) in sales, established itself as a community landmark. About 800 international tourist buses bringing visitors here every month, including many Chinese tourist groups, making Lotte Mall considered to have risen to become a "super mall" beyond Vietnam. The retailer has recently added a SPA for the affluent. By attracting F&B brands, holding more than 150 large-scale pop-ups, and localizing the VIP system, it has established the 'standard of K retail.' Based on this, it is renewing existing bases such as Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Jakarta, Indonesia, and is also working to secure new sites. Shinsegae Group is readying inroads to the Southeast Asian market through a joint venture (JV) with Alibaba. The first 5 countries targeted include Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia. In line with the K-content craze, the idea is to support domestic sellers to secure competitiveness on the global stage. Online retailer G-Market has teamed up with 'LAZADA', a leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia. It has linked about 20 million products and started selling to 160 million local customers. Korean sellers can apply the existing sales method as it is, making it highly accessible, while taking advantage of the automatic translation function to reduce language barriers. Big-box store chain E-Mart operates 5 and 3 stores in Mongolia and Vietnam, respectively. It has opened 16 'No Brand' stores in the Philippines and 3 in Laos. E-Mart said it is in discussions with partners about continuing to scale up and enhance its business model. Convenience stores, which closed about 100 outposts in Korea, are eager to make amends overseas. GS25 is expanding its presence by operating hundreds of stores in Malaysia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. In addition, E-Mart 24 exceeded 100 stores in 4 years after entering Malaysia. It has entered major cities in 11 local states, and aims to reach 130 stores by the end of this year and 200 stores by 2026. Southeast Asia and India pose as promised land with young population, rapidly growing middle class and increased spending power. The global popularity of Korean food and contents also add to the favorable environment for Korean brands. "The distribution infrastructure in Southeast Asia is still limited," one industry watcher said, adding that the growth potential nevertheless is huge. The market is opportune for Korean retailers with their richer experience and brand recognition. 2025-10-01 17:22:40