Struggling farms face labor shortages as seasonal workers migrate towards higher-paying opportunities
In the heart of Gangneung, Gangwon, foreign workers are making a significant impact on Korea's agricultural sector. These workers, hailing from various nations, have become a vital lifeline for the industry, which is grappling with demographic challenges such as an aging local workforce.
The current status of foreign workers in South Korea's agricultural and construction industries is marked by their growing importance, especially in agriculture, amid declining native employment in these sectors and efforts to increase foreign labor intake.
Agriculture and forestry employment in Korea has declined at the largest pace in 10 years, reflecting deep stagnation in traditional industries including construction. This decline is partly due to an aging population and a shortage of local workers willing to take up these labor-intensive jobs.
To address labor shortages, the Korean government has approved an increase of 22,731 foreign seasonal worker permits for the second half of 2025, targeting sectors like agriculture that heavily rely on seasonal labor. This indicates recognition of foreign workers as vital to sustaining agricultural productivity.
Foreign workers are seen sorting potatoes at a farm in Gangneung, Gangwon, on July 9, working in highland vegetable fields in Gangneung, Gangwon, on July 16, and depicted digging for potatoes at a farm in Gangneung, Gangwon, on July 23. These photos, taken by YONHAP, offer a glimpse into the daily lives of these workers who are helping to meet the demands of the agricultural sector.
However, despite their importance, foreign workers often face discrimination and cultural challenges. Campaigns, such as those in South Jeolla Province, aim to foster respect and inclusion, such as calling workers by name instead of derogatory terms.
Overall labor market data for 2025 shows a low unemployment rate (~2.7%) in Korea, but employment growth in manufacturing, construction, and agriculture sectors remains weak, underscoring the reliance on foreign labor to meet demand in these industries.
In the construction industry, employment has also been stagnant, but specific data about foreign worker numbers there is less highlighted. Given similar labor shortages, foreign labor contribution is likely significant.
In summary, foreign workers play an increasingly critical role in sustaining Korea’s agricultural workforce, with government policies actively boosting their intake in 2025. While their presence alleviates labor shortages caused by population aging and declining local participation, social integration and workers' rights remain important ongoing concerns.
- The Korean government, in an effort to address workplace-wellness and health-and-wellness, has recognized the vital role of foreign workers in the agriculture sector and has increased the number of foreign seasonal worker permits for the second half of 2025, particularly in industries like agriculture known for relying heavily on seasonal labor.
- As foreign workers in South Korea's agricultural and construction sectors contribute significantly to keeping these labor-intensive industries afloat amid declining native employment and an aging population, efforts are underway to ensure a more inclusive workplace culture where foreign workers are respected, free from discrimination, and treated as equal members of the business and science communities.
