On August 16th, the Korea Food Service Association announced its efforts to allow and expand the employment of foreigners, which has been promoted as a major issue of concern in the food service industry in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, which have recently come to fruition. They said the shortage is expected to be resolved. The association is an incorporated association headed by Yoon Hong-geun, chairman of Genesis BBQ Group.

So far, the association has held meetings with government agencies such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock and Food and the Ministry of Strategy and Finance for price stability, submitted proposals for 'Public Participation Innovation Issues,' and held food service industry development forums. We have requested that restrictions on the employment of foreigners be relaxed.

As a result, from January this year, the Government expanded the measures to lift restrictions on foreign visitor work visa (H-2) employment, which previously allowed work only in Korean and foreign cuisine and other simple restaurants, to the entire food and beverage industry.

Also, from May, "kitchen assistants, food and drink service workers, and beverage service workers" were removed from the scope of work restrictions on overseas Korean visas (F-4).

In addition, from July 3rd, working hours on weekdays for professional bachelors and undergraduate international students with student visas (D2) have been partially extended. The allowable hours have been increased from the conventional 20 hours to a maximum of 25 hours, and for those with excellent grades, it has been increased from 25 hours to 30 hours.

An official of the Food Service Industry Association said, "We will continue to understand the difficulties of the food service industry and seek solutions. We will continue to make policy recommendations to the government, reflecting the opinions of the industry for the development of the food service industry. We plan to exchange various opinions for coexistence with other industries."