INCHEON - South Korea is considering allowing foreign nationals to compete in its National Skills Competition, as the country looks to strengthen its skilled workforce amid growing reliance on overseas workers in manufacturing and other sectors.

The Korea Times reported that the proposal is being explored by the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRD Korea), which oversees the annual competition, with officials expected to consult the ministries of Employment and Labor and Justice on the necessary legal changes.

“Because this would require a review and amendment of relevant laws and regulations, we will discuss the matter with the ministries of labor and justice when the opportunity arises,” HRD Korea president Lee Byoung-hoon said on August 25.

Foreign nationals can currently take part in regional skills competitions but cannot advance to the national event because the Act on Encouragement of Skilled Crafts restricts eligibility to Korean citizens.

HRD Korea officials said one possible approach would be to create a gradual route for foreign competitors, allowing high-performing participants in regional contests to progress to the national stage.

“Those who compete and place in regional competitions could be given a pathway to the national event after consultations with the Ministry of Justice on their visa status and other immigration-related arrangements,” said Mun Hyun-tae, a senior HRD Korea official overseeing global affairs.

Mun said such a system could broaden participation while helping revitalise skills competitions at both regional and national levels.

The push to include foreign competitors is not new, with officials saying calls for their participation have continued for more than a decade and gained momentum as foreign workers make up a growing proportion of South Korea’s manufacturing workforce.

The issue is being discussed as the 61st National Skills Competition takes place in Incheon, with the event running through Friday across six venues.

A total of 1,677 competitors who qualified through regional competitions are taking part in 51 trades, ranging from mould making and welding to cooking.

The competition has also expanded to reflect the country's changing industrial needs, with industrial-drone control and cybersecurity making their debut as official events this year.

Among the competitors, top performers are vying for the President’s Award and Prime Minister’s Award, which will go to two outstanding winners selected from the first-place finishers in each trade.

Winners will also have the opportunity to enter national-team selection for the 49th WorldSkills Competition in Aichi, Japan, next year, while top performers will receive exemptions from the practical examination for industrial engineer certification in their respective fields.