History of Korea's Overseas Employment and Migration

Korea Overseas Development Corporation (KODC)

In the 1960s, the economy of the Republic of Korea (hereafter, Korea) was heavily relied on the agricultural sector and infrastructure was still in a poor shape. To stimulate the economy, the Korean government took the initiative in pursuing economic growth. This meant that the government needed external funds to finance its domestic development programs. Against this backdrop, the Korea Overseas Development Corporation (KODC) was established under the slogan of "Planting Korea's seeds across the world" on June 10, 1965.

As a government foundation, the KODC aimed at reducing unemployment rate, adjusting population growth, improving international balance of payments, promoting trade and increasing foreign exchange primarily by encouraging overseas employment and migration of Koreans.

Catholic churches and medical institutions in Germany used to operate nurse deployment programs in a small scale. Then, the Korean government began to take charge of the technical cooperation and exchange of workforce from 1960s until 1970s.

The German Hospital Association President was invited to Korea to discuss the plan for deployment of Korean nurses to West Germany.

Recruitment of Workers Sent to West Germany

In 1960s and 1970s, jobs were scarce in Korea. Even university graduates had difficulty in getting a decent job. With so many people lining up behind a job, a program to dispatch workers to mines in West Germany gained in popularity. At that time, applicants should be male and aged between 20 and 35 with at least one year of experience in mines. However, there was almost no one who had previous experiences in mines. In its early days, many youngsters, including university graduates, applied for the job to make money and fulfill their dream in the future.

President's Visit to West Germany

At the invitation of Karl Heinrich Lübke, the President of West Germany, the Korean President Chung-hee Park visited West Germany on December 6, 1964. The official purpose of the presidential visit was to observe the Miracle on the Rhine and learn lessons from West Germany to explore ways for Korea to move ahead.

To efficiently operate the national program of sending workers to abroad, the KODC was responsible for facilitating overseas migration and assisting overseas employment not only in West Germany but also in America, Canada, the Middle East, etc.

By sending workers abroad, the corporation brought it foreign exchange and advanced technologies necessary for economic development, which laid the foundation for the Korean government to better draw up and implement its long-term national economic development plans.