Will Kazakhstanis now be able to work officially in South Korea

Tengrinews.kz – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Alibek Bakayev was asked how the situation in South Korea could affect the previously concluded agreement on the official employment of Kazakhstanis in that country.
Earlier, Minister of Labor Svetlana Zhakupova stated that there had been a change in leadership at the Ministry of Labor of South Korea, which has delayed the process of finalizing the document on the official employment of Kazakhstanis. In the corridors of the Mazhilis, journalists asked Bakayev how the recent events in South Korea might affect the adoption of the agreement.
According to Bakayev, the relevant agreement with South Korea had already been reached, and the recent events will not affect it.

"I don't think so. And in general, it should not affect it. This is a normal process that occurs in every country (staff changes – ed.). We also have staff changes from time to time. The agreement with South Korea on Kazakhstan's joining this system has already been reached. Now we are discussing more technical details, regardless of who will be in charge. Overall, the trend is that such a bilateral document is needed by our country. I hope we will resolve this in the near future," the official said.

According to Alibek Bakayev, there is currently no specific timeline for the adoption of this agreement.

"Once the document comes into effect, it will be available for use. This is the EPS system, which operates in Korea and other countries. Official employment is a separate process, and this system helps Kazakhstanis work legally, knowing the laws, traditions, and language of Korea," he explained.

Earnings in South Korea have remained attractive to Kazakhstanis for several years. In February 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that around 7-8 thousand of Kazakhstanis were still working illegally in the country.
In January of this year, it was reported that South Korea would begin employing Kazakhstanis through the official system (Employment Permit System).