EPS 2025 Asia Hub

📌 Korean Word of the Day: 존중하다

🇰🇷 존중하다 (jonjunghada) – ගෞරව දක්වනවා / සන්සුන් වීම

📝 Meaning: This verb means "to respect" or "to show consideration for someone or something." It is often used in the context of respecting people, opinions, and cultures.

📢 Example Sentence:
📌 우리는 서로의 의견을 존중해야 합니다.
➡️ අපි එකිනෙකාගේ අදහස් ගෞරව කළ යුතුයි.

1. **Increased Quota for Foreign Workers**: The South Korean government has announced a significant increase in the quota for foreign workers under the EPS, raising it to **110,000 for 2025**. This is the highest number since the system's introduction in 2004, reflecting the country's ongoing labor shortages

2. **Expansion of EPS Exams**: Starting from **January 20, 2024**, the EPS language examination will expand to include the manufacturing sector, allowing over **165,000 new applicants** to participate. This change aims to diversify job opportunities for foreign workers and respond to the demand for skilled labor in manufacturing. The exam will be conducted in three stages, accommodating a large number of candidates through increased daily shifts.

3. **Streamlined Entry Processes**: The Ministry of Employment and Labor has been working to streamline entry processes for foreign workers. This includes extending the validity period of visa issuance certificates from six months to one year, which helps facilitate smoother entry into South Korea

These updates highlight South Korea's commitment to enhancing its labor market by attracting foreign workers and addressing critical labor shortages in various sectors. For more detailed information, you can check the official announcements from the Ministry of Employment and Labor