Korea approved 16,915 additional foreign seasonal worker places for the second half of 2026 to address labor shortages in farming and fishing communities. The added allocation brings the year's total above 117,000.
The policy package also includes worker-protection measures. The Ministry of Justice said standard contracts would be required and accommodation in dangerous locations would be prohibited, responding to recurring concerns about recruitment, housing, and working conditions.
An allocation is not the same as an individual job offer or visa approval. Prospective workers should use authorized channels, verify the local government and employer, keep a copy of the signed contract, and be cautious of brokers demanding unexplained fees.
