A shuttle bus with a sign demanding wage increases for drivers on a street in Seoul in this April 20, 2023 photo. Newsis

North Korean defectors in Seoul will receive training to become shuttle bus drivers as part of a new city initiative to address a chronic driver shortage, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Thursday.

Known as "maeul" buses in Korean, which translates to "village buses," these vehicles operate short routes within local neighborhoods. In recent years, operators have faced labor shortages, as fewer people are applying to replace retiring drivers.

According to the city government, a pilot program will be launched in collaboration with the Seoul metropolitan town bus association, under which at least 20 North Korean defectors seeking employment will undergo training this year.

The program will run from March to November, initially for 20 participants, though additional slots may be made available depending on demand. Applications open Friday.

Under the program, selected applicants will receive comprehensive support, covering education to obtain the necessary qualifications like the Class 1 heavy vehicle license, training and full-time employment.

The city will provide financial assistance ranging from 1.5 million to 2.5 million won per person for license acquisition and living expenses. The bus association will assist job seekers by offering information about transportation companies and arranging job interviews.

Under the law, bus drivers must have at least one year of driving experience after obtaining a bus driver license. However, for North Korean defectors, this requirement can be replaced with a five-day training program offered by state-run education centers.

Bus transportation companies that hire North Korean defectors can also receive financial support, the city noted. For instance, the Korea Hana Foundation, a public institution supporting North Korean defectors, provides up to 850,000 won per month for up to four months to companies that employ North Korean defectors as full-time employees.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said the pilot program would be a win-win, providing job opportunities for North Korean defectors, who often face financial hardships and employment barriers.

According to a 2024 survey conducted by the Korea Hana Foundation, the unemployment rate among defectors in Seoul was 11 percent — more than three times higher than the 3 percent unemployment rate among the general public in the capital.

Additionally, 29 percent of North Korean defectors in Seoul receive basic livelihood benefits, compared to just 3.1 percent of the broader Seoul residents.

The city's new initiative comes months after its proposal to recruit foreign nationals as village bus drivers was rejected by the Ministry of Employment and Labor in December. The ministry cited language barriers, visa hurdles and issues related to license compatibility as reasons for the rejection.