Introduction
The Vietnam–South Korea labor cooperation remains a central pillar of the Vietnam–Korea strategic partnership, bolstered by renewed commitments to the EPS Program Vietnam Korea, significant MoUs signed in 2025, expanding deployment of Vietnamese workers in South Korea, and broader bilateral labor cooperation Vietnam Korea initiatives.
EPS Program Vietnam Korea Gains Momentum with 2025 MOU
The EPS Program Vietnam Korea continues to deliver results. Since 2004, Vietnam has dispatched approximately 143,000 Vietnamese workers in South Korea under the EPS system, with some 42,500 currently employed in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, construction, shipbuilding, and forestry
A pivotal development came in 2025, when during the State Visit of Party General Secretary To Lam, Vietnam and South Korea signed a new Vietnam Korea EPS MOU 2025 (2025–2027), marking a renewed phase of bilateral labor cooperation Vietnam Korea .
In 2024, South Korea remained the third-largest labor export market for Vietnam, receiving around 7,900 EPS workers, bringing the total number of Vietnamese in South Korea—including skilled workers, students, and seasonal laborers—to approximately 88,000 .
Vietnam–South Korea Labor Cooperation Expands Across Industries
The EPS Program Vietnam Korea isn’t just about renewing agreements—it’s evolving. New strategies include increasing quotas, expanding Korean language testing formats (UBT and CBT), adding testing centers, and extending eligible sectors to include casting, plastic molding, machinery assembly, and industrial painting .
These changes are designed to make Vietnam labour export to South Korea more efficient and diverse, also strengthening protections for workers through joint safety inspections, return support, and Vietnamese-language assistance .
Broader Vietnam–Korea Strategic Partnership Boosts Labor Ties
The labor cooperation is part of a broader Vietnam–Korea strategic partnership. During the August 2025 State Visit, both countries signed 10 Memoranda of Understanding including the EPS worker dispatch MoU, science and technology, renewable energy, copyright, education, fisheries, and finance .
They also pledged to increase bilateral trade to USD 150 billion by 2030, highlighting the economic dimension of Vietnam–South Korea labor cooperation amid global trade pressures .
Economic Integration and Labor Export Synergies
South Korea remains Vietnam’s largest foreign investor—accumulated FDI stands around USD 78–92 billion, especially in electronics and manufacturing. Samsung alone contributes massively to GDP and employs thousands .
Vietnamese labor export complements this investment-driven growth. The EPS Program Vietnam Korea channels skilled labor into economic sectors where Korean enterprises heavily invest, creating a synergy between Vietnam labour export to South Korea and Vietnam–South Korea labor cooperation.
Cultural and Educational Foundations Fuel Labor Cooperation
Strong Vietnam–South Korea labor cooperation is supported by growing cultural and educational ties. Korean is now the most popular foreign language taught from elementary schools in Vietnam. In 2021–2022, 28,450 Vietnamese took the TOPIK . Currently, around 10,900 students learn Korean in 79 secondary schools, and annual TOPIK registrations have surged to approximately 60,000 .
Vietnam hosts 22 King Sejong Institutes across major cities, promoting Korean language education and underpinning the workforce readiness for Vietnam labour export to South Korea.
People-to-People Links Enrich Labor Cooperation
Beyond formal programs, strong people-to-people connections reinforce labor ties. By 2024, about 320,000 Vietnamese lived in South Korea—including workers, students, and marriage migrants—reflecting deep human bonds and contributing to smoother labor mobility .
Likewise, an estimated 290,000 Koreans reside in Vietnam, further enriching cultural reciprocity.
Strategic Resilience Amid Global Trade Tensions
The RESILIENCE of Vietnam–South Korea labor cooperation is tested amid global challenges. Facing looming U.S. tariffs on exports, in April 2025 both countries agreed to strengthen economic cooperation, including in labor, nuclear energy, LNG, textiles, and apparel—ensuring supply chain stability.
At the August 2025 summit, leaders reaffirmed cooperation and trade expansion to counteract global headwinds.
Conclusion
The Vietnam–South Korea labor cooperation has never been more dynamic. Anchored by the EPS Program Vietnam Korea, strengthened through the Vietnam Korea EPS MOU 2025, and woven into a broader Vietnam–Korea strategic partnership, it combines labor, investment, education, and cultural ties to drive mutual development. The success of Vietnam labour export to South Korea exemplifies how comprehensive cooperation yields economic growth, social connection, and strategic resilience.
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