The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 17th that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) to attract outstanding talent from overseas. Through this agreement, both organizations will provide connected support from talent discovery to settlement, and plan to utilize joint infrastructure and networks for attracting global talent.
As competition for securing global talent in advanced industry sectors such as AI, robotics, and biotechnology intensifies, Seoul City is developing strategies to actively promote overseas recruitment and facilitate the influx of foreign talent. Through this agreement, cooperation with KOTRA’s Overseas Talent Attraction Center is expected to strengthen.
KOTRA was designated as an Overseas Talent Attraction Center earlier this year under the Special Act on Advanced Industry Talent Innovation, and held its official opening ceremony along with the MOU signing today. The center will be responsible for talent discovery, promotion, and research support utilizing KOTRA’s global network, and will also handle the issuance of K-Tech Pass (overseas talent verification certificate) newly introduced by the government.
Through this MOU, Seoul City plans to conduct overseas promotion, local recruitment events, and other activities in conjunction with KOTRA’s overseas networks. Additionally, Seoul City will provide settlement support services for foreign talent in cooperation with 18 support facilities, including the Seoul Global Center and Foreign Residents Support Center.
The MOU signing ceremony was attended by Lee Hae-sun, Seoul’s Global Urban Policy Officer, and Jun Chun-woo, KOTRA’s Vice President, who confirmed the agreement contents and exchanged signed copies.
Policy Officer Lee stated that talent exchange and integration transcending origins and cultural backgrounds are crucial for sustainable urban growth, adding that Seoul City will do its best to facilitate talent influx and expressing gratitude for KOTRA’s cooperation.
It remains to be seen what impact this agreement between Seoul City and KOTRA will have on attracting outstanding overseas talent.