A Korean Air aircraft is being washed with water cannons in front of the national carrier's hangar at Incheon International Airport, April 25. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Korea will recruit 300 foreign workers annually to address the growing labor shortage in its aircraft manufacturing industry, the government announced on Wednesday.

This initiative is the latest step by the government to invite migrant workers to contribute to a wider range of sectors amid a growing labor shortage, which is expected to worsen due to the nation's declining birthrate.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Justice jointly announced that the manufacturing of aircraft and components will be added to a list of professions eligible for the E-7 visa category. The E-7 visa is designated for foreign nationals with special abilities to work in professions specified by the justice ministry, and this update reflects efforts to address workforce needs in the aviation industry.

After consultations with the Korea Aerospace Industries Association and relevant industries, the government announced plans to invite 300 individuals on a pilot basis for a two-year period to address workforce shortages in the aviation manufacturing sector.

This measure is being implemented because Korean aircraft manufacturers have been experiencing labor shortages despite the industry's growth and expansion.

With the easing of travel restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for air travel has rebounded along with increased international trade. This surge has led to a heightened need for workers and experts in aircraft and airplane parts manufacturing. However, the industry has faced challenges in recruiting a sufficient number of qualified workers to meet this demand.

"The latest revision to the country's visa regulations will not just resolve the aviation manufacturing industry's workforce shortage, but also increase overall productivity and attract more aircraft construction projects from other countries," Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun said in a press release. "We'll keep cooperating with other ministries to prepare and train workers."

Justice Minister Park Sung-jae emphasized that inviting foreign talent will continue to be a key strategy to support local industries facing frequent workforce shortages. "Introducing a balanced set of visa regulations will invigorate our economy," Park said.

The ministries will collaborate on the selection and management of workers throughout the pilot program. They will also monitor its progress and develop systems to expand and stabilize the initiative over time.

Earlier this year, the government decided to broaden the scope of areas eligible for non-professional employment permits for foreign workers. This expansion includes sectors such as restaurants, hotels, condominiums, forestry, and mining.

The initiative is being implemented on a trial basis and is limited to specific regions for restaurants, hotels, and condominiums. The government plans to evaluate its effectiveness in November and explore potential improvements based on the outcomes.