"Introduction of K-Blue Card and expansion of local visas"...We need to provide a way to attract technical talent by region.

[Anchor]
If you expand immigration, to whom and how should you expand it?

Currently, foreign workers are mainly put into low-skilled manufacturing and rural jobs, and it is pointed out that immigration policy needs a major shift to prepare for the future in the rapidly changing demographic structure.

Reporter Kim Hyun-ah reports.

[Reporter]
The first pilot introduced by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in the country is a Filipino housekeeper.

There are also problems such as the departure of the manager, but the city said that the 'care crisis' is a 'decided future' considering the change in the population,

Emphasizes the need for more foreign care workers, from home care workers to caregivers and nursing care workers.

[Oh Se-hoon / Seoul Mayor: Strategic use of foreign manpower is a very urgent task given to us and an essential alternative to strengthening the competitiveness of cities and countries....]

Mayor Oh Se-hoon is also making a drive to attract highly educated and professional jobs for future competitiveness.

Following the previous "comprehensive measures" aimed at attracting 1,000 master's and doctoral students in science and engineering fields,

He stressed the need to drastically improve the visa and immigration system so that such childish talents can take root in each region and industry.

[Se-hoon Oh / Mayor of Seoul: The transition to a permanent resident system that contributes to national interests while settling down stably should be sought, not immigration for temporary or temporary employment or residence purposes.]

At a forum organized by the city, a proposal was made to introduce a K-Blue Card modeled after Germany's "Blue Card" aimed at Asia's high-tech talent hub.

In particular, it is analyzed that dividing the country by major industrial regions and allowing visas to be issued by region will increase regional competitiveness while recruiting various talents.

[President: Moon Hwi-chang / Seoul National University of Science] If you look at the innovation center, there are about 18 in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Jeollabuk-do, Jeollanam-do. The U.S. has only six innovation clusters in the big country.]

Experts, however, advised that in order to minimize social conflicts caused by the influx of foreign workers, the Korean language and multicultural education should be strengthened along with the improvement of employment of the vulnerable groups of Korean workers, and that phased opening is desirable.

I'm Kim Hyunah of YTN.