'Fundamental shift desperately needed in our migrant labor policy'
Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon on Monday ruled out reducing Cambodia’s employment quota, saying the recent controversy over crimes involving South Koreans in Cambodia should not affect the nation’s labor partnership with Phnom Penh.
“At this point, we are not considering an adjustment to Cambodia’s Employment Permit System quota,” Kim said during a press briefing with foreign correspondents in Seoul on Monday.
He emphasized that Cambodian workers play a significant role in Korea’s economy, noting that the Southeast Asian nation ranks second only to Nepal in the number of foreign workers entering under the EPS program.
“There is absolutely no reason for negative perceptions toward Cambodian workers in Korea,” he said. “We will continue to manage the incident separately and work to preserve our longstanding cooperation.”
Kim said the government is now preparing a more integrated management system for foreign workers, addressing what he called a fragmented structure spread across ministries.
“The president has instructed us to move beyond the idea of borrowing labor temporarily and to establish a comprehensive support and management system for foreign workers,” he said. “Foreign workers are not here just to fill labor shortages — they are our neighbors, and it is time for a fundamental shift in our migrant labor policy.”
He added that new programs will help unskilled workers advance to mid-level skills through training, ensuring that “they can grow together with Korean society.”
Responding to public concerns about discrimination and online hate speech targeting foreign workers, Kim said, “All labor deserves respect, and all workers must be protected. Hate speech based on race, nationality or religion is not freedom of expression — it is a crime.”
He added that President Lee Jae Myung had instructed the government to respond with “zero tolerance” to any anti-human-rights behavior against migrant workers.
Kim also addressed reports that some employers still confiscate migrant workers’ passports, despite laws prohibiting the practice.
“If anyone has experienced this, I sincerely apologize on behalf of the Korean government,” he said. “We recognize that some blind spots remain, and we will strengthen cooperation with civic and religious organizations so that migrant workers can safely report any unfair treatment.”
On broader labor issues, Kim pointed to the government’s aim to create an inclusive labor environment that supports all workers regardless of nationality or employment type.
“Foreign workers are now indispensable partners in sustaining Korea’s economy and society,” he said. “We will continue building a safe and fair environment where everyone can work without discrimination.
jychoi@heraldcorp.com
