The Ministry of Employment and Labor said on Monday that it is considering expanding the current program, currently limited to workers from the Philippines, to include more Asian countries like Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
The pilot program, managed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, was introduced this summer to alleviate the challenges faced by young couples balancing childcare and household chores, while tackling the country's low birthrate.
Around 100 workers from the Philippines arrived in Seoul in August and they have been employed as domestic helpers in South Korean homes after completing a month of training here.
The ministry aims to hire up to 1,200 more workers by next year. "But we will come up with more detailed plans by February next year," a ministry official said.
During a parliamentary hearing last month, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said that diversifying countries would "make the program more competitive, leading to the best model suited to the country's circumstances."
Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo also hinted at his intention to expand the scope of the program by including more Asian countries.
