Governor Kim Yung-rok speaks about increasing people-to-people exchanges with Thailand.

-Strengthening cooperation with the Minister of Employment and Labor about shipbuilding, agricultural and fisheries.

[The Ministry of SMEs and Startups Manager, Oh Su-mi, 286-7210, Employment Policy Team Leader, Noh Jeong-ho, 286-3770]

(Three photos of the interview with the Labour Minister of Thailand are attached.)

Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Yung-rok, who is visiting Thailand, met with Labour Minister Suchhat Chomklin in Bangkok on the afternoon of the 16th and discuss expanding personnel exchanges between Jeollanam-do and the Thai government in manufacturing, agricultural and fisheries, and shipbuilding.

The meeting was held to diversify the countries providing foreign workers, which were concentrated in Vietnam and Uzbekistan, to Southeast Asia such as Thailand, in a situation where labor shortages are worsening due to a surge in ship orders in Jeollanam-do, South Korea.

Governor Kim Yung-rok said that the Korean government recently improved the system following the suggestion of Jeollanam-do: ▲ increased the annual skilled workforce in the shipbuilding industry from 2,000 to 5,000 and established a separate quota for 400 people, ▲ expedited the processing of visas for the arrival of foreign workers, and ▲ implemented a region-specific visa system, etc.

In addition, he proposed cooperation with the Thai government, claiming that there are more than 1,200 openings in the shipbuilding industry, such as Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries and Daehan Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., and that jobs in the industry will increase by 2025. Also, there are even other jobs in various fields, such as rural workers.

Labour Minister Suchhat Chomklin responded, “In Thailand, there are not only skilled personnel who can work in Korean shipyards but also a lot of workforce in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors. Since Chonburi Province has workforce skilled in shipbuilding and manufacturing, I hope to establish friendly and cooperative relations between Jeollanam-do and Chonburi Province.” He then asked for interest and support for Thai workers from Jeollanam-do.

Governor Kim Yung-rok said, “Please cooperate with the Thai government to increase exchanges between Jeollanam-do and Thai metropolitan organizations. Also, when shipbuilding companies in Korea first identify and request the need for workforce, let these two local governments agree to distribute it.” Minister Suchhat Chomklin answered, “Let’s strengthen our cooperation in the future.”

Jeollanam-do hopes to expand connections in various fields like tourism and culture through the meeting, including the Thai government, Thai metropolitan organizations, and foreign workers.

Minister Suchhat Chomklin, a native of Chonburi Province, visited Korea in June last year and has expressed a strong interest in Thai workers in Korea while visiting companies employing Thais.