South Korea Introduces Incentives to Attract Foreign Tech Experts

South Korea is implementing new policies to attract foreign professionals in

such as artificial intelligence (AI) and electric vehicle (EV) batteries. On January 7, 2025, lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party proposed a bill offering special visas and for these experts and their families, including parents.

Koh Dong Jin, a former Samsung Electronics president and one of the 11 legislators behind the bill, emphasized the

to secure AI talent, given its potential to drive the global economy. The proposed aims to create a more for foreign specialists, facilitating longer stays without frequent visa renewals.

Currently, foreign professionals constitute only 0.09% of South Korea's

, lagging behind countries like Singapore (6.6%) and Japan (0.3%). To enhance competitiveness, South Korea recognizes the need to attract more . In line with this, Seoul's has introduced scholarships for international students pursuing science and engineering graduate programs, providing financial support, legal guidance, and language education to assist their in the city.