(1) The Minister of Justice may implement a seasonal worker program to manage and support the introduction and residence, etc. of aliens (hereinafter referred to as the "seasonal worker program") who intend to engage in employment activities in fields such as agriculture and fishery that have seasonal characteristics (hereinafter referred to as "seasonal workers").
(2) The seasonal worker policy council (hereinafter referred to as the "Policy Council") shall be established under the Minister of Justice to provide advice to the Minister of Justice on decisions concerning the basic plan for the seasonal worker program, the industries in which seasonal workers may be employed, the scale of introduction, and other related matters.
(3) In order to effectively implement the seasonal worker program, the Minister of Justice may designate and operate an institution, corporation, or organization equipped with professional personnel and facilities as a seasonal worker specialized institution (hereinafter referred to as a "specialized institution"), after hearing the opinions of the heads of relevant central administrative agencies, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Justice.
(4) A specialized institution shall perform the following duties:
1. Matters concerning support for the conclusion of memorandum of understanding (MOU) related to the introduction of seasonal workers between local governments and foreign governments or foreign local governments;
2. Matters concerning support for the selection, entry, training, interpretation, stay, and departure of seasonal workers;
3. Other matters deemed necessary by the Minister of Justice for the effective operation of the seasonal worker program.
(5) The State and local governments may support all or part of the expenses necessary for the operation of a specialized institution within budgetary limits.
(6) The Minister of Justice may establish and operate an information and communications network in order to effectively operate the seasonal worker program, and matters necessary for the establishment and operation of such network shall be determined by the Minister of Justice.
(7) Where a specialized institution falls under any of the following subparagraphs, the Minister of Justice may revoke its designation or order suspension of its operations for a fixed period not exceeding 6 months, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Justice; provided, where it falls under subparagraph 1, the designation shall be revoked:
1. Where it has been designated by fraud or other improper means;
2. Where it has continuously failed to perform the duties under paragraph (4) for one year or longer without good cause;
3. Where it no longer satisfies the designation criteria under paragraph (3).
(8) The Minister of Justice shall hold a hearing before revoking the designation or ordering suspension of business pursuant to paragraph (7).
(9) No person other than the State, local governments, or a specialized institution under paragraph (3) shall intervene in the selection, placement, or employment of seasonal workers.
(10) Matters concerning the composition and operation of the Policy Council under paragraph (2), the designation criteria and procedures for a specialized institution under paragraph (3), the detailed standards for dispositions under paragraph (7), and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Justice.[This Article Added on Jul. 22, 2025]