What did Yeongam County sign with Laos?

On October 16, 2026, Yeongam County in South Jeolla Province signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on foreign seasonal workers with Laos's Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. The signing took place by video conference. The agreement aims to ease labor shortages in rural areas and expand exchanges of seasonal workers.

What does the agreement cover?

According to the county, it will support better working conditions and human rights protection for seasonal workers from Vientiane, Salavan, and Bolikhamxay provinces. The Lao side will help select and send outstanding workers and provide pre-departure training before they enter Korea.

When will Lao workers arrive?

The county plans to send Lao seasonal workers to local farms in the first half of next year, when farm labor demand peaks. Mayor Woo Seung-hee said she hoped the deal would help agricultural development in both countries and revive rural communities.

How many seasonal workers does the region have?

This year the Ministry of Justice allocated 1,402 seasonal worker slots to the region, and 1,151 workers have entered the country so far. Yeongam County has also signed similar MOUs with 16 local governments across Mongolia, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Laos.

For international fans

Seasonal worker programs are a common way for rural Korean farms to fill short-term labor needs during planting and harvest seasons. If you are interested in the official program details, the Ministry of Justice and local county offices publish the latest eligibility and entry information.