SEOUL, July 9 (AJP) - A slowdown in the construction and manufacturing sectors reduced the number of foreign workers, particularly E-9 visa holders, for the second consecutive year, while arrivals from Viet Nam surpassed those from China for the first time.
According to data released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics on Wednesday, about 428,000 foreigners entered South Korea for long-term stays of more than 90 days last year, down 23,000 from a year earlier, while about 378,000 left the country, up 25,000.
Those from Viet Nam, China and the United States accounted for 50.2 percent of all foreign arrivals. Vietnamese arrivals surpassed those from China for the first time since relevant data began to be compiled in 2000, totaling 98,000, 4,000 more than China's 94,000, and about four times the 23,000 arrivals from the U.S.
Employment was the most common reason foreigners moved to or from South Korea, accounting for 37.4 percent, followed by study or training at 25.2 percent and permanent residency and marriage-related migration at 13.1 percent.
But employment-related arrivals fell as the E-9 visa quota was set at 130,000 last year, 35,000 fewer than the previous year, amid a slowdown in the construction and manufacturing sectors, according to the ministry.
Yoo Su-deok at the ministry said arrivals from China have continued to decline among overseas ethnic Koreans and those entering on H-2 visiting employment visas. He added that more Vietnamese have been arriving for study and training, and that they also make up a large share of seasonal workers.
Among South Koreans, both arrivals and departures declined, with arrivals falling by 19,000 to 257,000 and departures dropping by 16,000 to 233,000.
According to data released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics on Wednesday, about 428,000 foreigners entered South Korea for long-term stays of more than 90 days last year, down 23,000 from a year earlier, while about 378,000 left the country, up 25,000.
Those from Viet Nam, China and the United States accounted for 50.2 percent of all foreign arrivals. Vietnamese arrivals surpassed those from China for the first time since relevant data began to be compiled in 2000, totaling 98,000, 4,000 more than China's 94,000, and about four times the 23,000 arrivals from the U.S.
Employment was the most common reason foreigners moved to or from South Korea, accounting for 37.4 percent, followed by study or training at 25.2 percent and permanent residency and marriage-related migration at 13.1 percent.
But employment-related arrivals fell as the E-9 visa quota was set at 130,000 last year, 35,000 fewer than the previous year, amid a slowdown in the construction and manufacturing sectors, according to the ministry.
Yoo Su-deok at the ministry said arrivals from China have continued to decline among overseas ethnic Koreans and those entering on H-2 visiting employment visas. He added that more Vietnamese have been arriving for study and training, and that they also make up a large share of seasonal workers.
Among South Koreans, both arrivals and departures declined, with arrivals falling by 19,000 to 257,000 and departures dropping by 16,000 to 233,000.
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