By Kim Bo-eun
The government will crack down on illegal foreigners, with the aim of reducing their ratio among the total foreign resident population to less than 10 percent over the next two years.
Related ministries set a 9.3 percent target for 2018, down from 11.3 percent in 2015, at a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn in Seoul, Monday.
To meet this target, the government will increase inspections when issuing work visas under the employment permit system.
It will also tighten the immigration process at airports for transfer passengers and those entering Jeju Island without a visa. Earlier this year, there were cases of illegal entry through Incheon International Airport and through Jeju.
While cracking down on illegal entry, the government plans to allow foreign workers entering the country under the work permit system to work for longer periods when they meet the necessary criteria.
For the agricultural sector, it will introduce a system through which workers can enter seasonally for a three-month period, based on demand, such as during the harvest season in fall.
The government set aside 675.8 billion won for foreigner policies for 2016 in five areas ― boosting economic stimulation, attracting competent workers, helping social integration, abolishing discrimination and introducing respect for cultural diversity, and ensuring safety.
It will increase the number of lawyers, who will provide free consulting services in foreigners’ mother tongues; and also provide Korean language courses and assistance in employment and resettlement for refugees.