Jeonbuk State has been officially designated as a region permitting the foreign employment permit system (E-9 visa for non-professional employment) for the hotel and condominium industry. As a result, starting this year, Jeonbuk has become the sixth region nationwide, following Seoul, Busan, Gangwon, Jeju, and Gyeongbuk, where foreign workers can be legally employed in the tourism accommodation sector.

The state government and the Jeonbuk State Tourism Association conducted a survey on the demand for foreign workers targeting 77 hotels and condominiums within the province from June 12 to 20 last year. The survey results indicated a need for a total of 67 foreign workers. Among the responding establishments, 53, accounting for 94.6%, expressed their approval for the introduction of the foreign employment permit system.

The application of this employment permit system is expected to go beyond simply resolving labor shortages, bringing positive ripple effects on attracting international and domestic events and revitalizing the local tourism industry. With a stable supply of personnel, if the service quality of the accommodation industry improves, it is anticipated that a better experience can be provided to tourists visiting Jeonbuk.

Baek Gyeong-tae, Director-General of the External and International Communication Bureau of Jeonbuk State stated, “With this expansion of the employment permit system to our region as an opportunity, we will continue to listen to the voices from the field to make Jeonbuk a high-quality tourist destination that people want to revisit and stay longer.' He added, 'We will also continuously consult with the central government on improving visa and residency policies so that foreign workers and the local community can grow together.'”