South Korea's target expansion of Employment Permit System to benefit OFWs, says envoy

South Korea plans to expand its Employment Permit System (EPS) for skilled workers, which will benefit overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

"Indeed, we are willing to extend our EPS, Employment Permit System. We will bring more Filipino workers to Korea," South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-Hwa told GMA News Online.

"It's all about the skilled workers, (they) will be utilized in Korean factories. That's one of the two leaders discussed when they met in Jakarta two weeks ago," he added, noting that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for a bilateral meeting.

Both leaders signed a free trade agreement and shared commitment to having mutual economic growth and development.

"The number is in flux. It depends on the demand from both sides," the ambassador said.

South Korea's EPS allows Korean employers to hire foreign workers if no local workers are interested in the job, and has been in effect for almost two decades.

The program reportedly covers more than half of the estimated 63,000 Filipino workers in South Korea.

Aside from factory workers, South Korea is also mulling hiring domestic workers from the Philippines, according to an Unang Balita report on Wednesday.

Ambassador Lee was present during the Korean Film Festival opening night on Friday, September 22, at the Director's Club in the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

The event was part of the 'Visit Korea Initiative 2023-2023' to encourage more Filipinos to explore Korea.

"We are encouraged by the growing number of Korean tourists coming to the Philippines and vice versa, more and more Filipino friends going to Korea," Lee said.

He further mentioned the launch of the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC), which aims to provide world-class visa application services for Filipino travelers.

"It's all about the changed system by opening the Korea Visa Application Center, so we hope to receive more and more Filipino friends," he added.—LDF, GMA Integrated News