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Kosme survey finds 78.4% of SMEs, startups open to foreign job seekers

Published: 28 Apr. 2026, 13:55

YOON SEUNG-JIN
[email protected]

Job seekers crowd the Job Fair for International Students section of the Global Talent Fair at Coex in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on May 19, 2025. A recent syrvey showed that 78.4 percent of Korean small and medium-sized enterprises and startups are considering hiring foreign employees. [YONHAP]

A recent survey conducted by the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (Kosme) showed that 78.4 percent of Korean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups are considering hiring foreign employees.

According to the survey released on Tuesday, 78.4 percent of the 477 SMEs surveyed said they are willing to hire international employees and 63.7 percent believe that global talent can help address Korea’s labor shortage.

Regarding the feasibility of hiring foreign employees, 75.9 percent of respondents said they struggle to obtain information on where to find suitable candidates. Additionally, 63.7 percent said they need support from the public sector to connect with foreign job seekers.

Kosme also surveyed 676 international students and foreign job seekers, with 78.8 percent saying they are willing to seek employment opportunities in Korea.

Of the respondents, 48.2 percent cited lack of employment information as their major hurdle. Language barriers followed with 41 percent, and visa-related issues with 28.3 percent.

In line with the findings, Cho Han-gyo, director of human resource development at Kosme, said the agency plans to expand job matching support.

“Through our employment-related programs such as the K-Export Warrior Academy, the K-Work Platform and partnerships with job-leading universities, we will continue our efforts to strengthen employment support, address labor shortages among SMEs and enhance their competitiveness,” Cho said.

BY YOON SEUNG-JIN [[email protected]]