Labor ministry announces airport pact for foreign workers

The labor ministry said Tuesday that the Human Resources Development Service of Korea and Incheon Airport Main Customs signed an agreement to protect foreign workers against drug-related crime from the point they arrive in Korea.

The agreement was signed at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport in Yeongjong, Incheon. The ministry said HRD Korea has operated a service center at the airport since 2004 to support entry by non-professional employment (E-9) foreign workers and help ease labor shortages at Korean small and medium-sized companies. The ministry described the effort as a joint push to foster a sound entry culture and safeguard national and social safety.

"This agreement is significant," said Lee Byeong-hun, chair of the Human Resources Development Service of Korea. "HRD Korea will continue to strengthen cooperation with relevant agencies to safely support the foreign workforce introduction program."

The pact centers on education and public information. It will provide drug-crime response education to workers in 17 sending countries and immediately after their arrival in Korea. The agencies will jointly develop and use educational content on customs declarations and clearance procedures, hold training and seminars to improve staff expertise, and establish a cooperation system for customs issues during arrivals.