In this file photo released by HD Hyundai on March 27, 2024, HD Hyundai Chairman Kwon Oh-gap (C) poses for a photo with foreign workers in Ulsan, 305 kilometers south of Seoul. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — As South Korea’s foreign workforce surpassed the 1 million mark in 2024, demand for job platforms catering specifically to foreign workers and employers has grown significantly.
In response, recruitment services such as Job Korea’s Klik and Saramin’s Komate have launched to bridge the gap between foreign job seekers and local companies.
Job Korea introduced Klik in July 2024, offering a multilingual platform (Korean, English, Chinese) where foreign job seekers can find positions tailored to their skills, visa status, and language abilities.
Employers can customize postings by specifying preferred visa types, language proficiency, and other qualifications. Within just three months, Klik had over 6,000 job postings and has gained traction among both employers and job seekers. Additionally, Klik operates an online community called Lounge, where foreign workers can exchange employment and lifestyle tips.
Saramin debuted Komate in November 2024 with similar features, including multilingual support and customizable filters for both employers and job seekers.
To enhance reliability, Komate also introduced a foreign worker verification system.
The platform collaborates with visa specialists like K-Visa to offer employment visa processing services for hiring companies.
According to Statistics Korea, as of May 2024, the number of employed foreign residents exceeded 1 million for the first time. A survey by the Korea International Trade Association found that 77.9% of foreign students in South Korea expressed a desire to work domestically.
However, obstacles such as limited access to job information and complex visa processes have often hindered their employment prospects.
Chris Heo, head of Job Korea’s Klik division, explained, “Having experienced the challenges of job searching and administrative processes as a foreigner in South Korea, I understand their struggles firsthand. Klik was designed to address these needs with user-centric features.”
With growing interest in South Korea as a work destination, these platforms aim to ease the employment process, streamline visa acquisition, and better connect international talent with local opportunities.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
