The government said Sunday (Oct. 28) it will introduce a new employment permit system for foreign students allowing them to work during weekends, as well as the 20-hour weekday work limit the current system allows.

The plan will also grant foreign students who hold postgraduate degrees in humanities and social sciences from South Korean universities to gain employment in educational or specialized institutions.

Only foreign students who have concluded postgraduate study in engineering are currently entitled to enter the Korean job market amid complaints by Korean students suffering from job shortages.

The new employment permit system for foreign students is to take effect next Thursday with the aim of luring foreign skilled workers to South Korea.

Foreign students can apply for E-1 visas to gain employment as instructors or researchers at educational institutions equivalent to or higher than two-year colleges, while the E-7 visa permits them to work at public or private institutions for technology or overseas marketing research.

Source: http://www.korea.net/News/Issues/issueDetailView.asp?board_no=18312