South Korea Blacklists Four Thai Provinces, Bans Agricultural and Fishing Labor Imports Throughout 2025
South Korea has blacklisted four northeastern Thai provinces and banned all agricultural and fishing worker imports for 2025 after workers fled their employers in violation of bilateral labor agreements.
South Korea has blacklisted four Thai provinces, banning agricultural and fishing labor imports throughout 2025, according to confirmation from Thailand's Department of Employment. On May 12, 2025, Thailand's Anti-Fake News Center confirmed that South Korea has added four Thai provinces to its blacklist, prohibiting the import of seasonal agricultural and fishing workers (E-8 visas) for the entire year of 2025. The Department of Employment verified this news on May 11, 2025.
The action stems from cases of Thai workers engaged in seasonal agricultural and fishing work under bilateral labor agreements who fled their employers. These workers were sent from four northeastern provinces—Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, and Maha Sarakham. In response, the South Korean government implemented blacklist measures against workers who violated employment contracts and suspended all worker imports from these four provinces for one year, from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
Those interested in working abroad can find information about applications, schedules, and application procedures on the Thai Overseas Employment Administration website at doe.go.th/overseas or on their Facebook page: Thai Overseas Employment Administration. For additional information, contact provincial employment offices or Bangkok employment offices (Areas 1-10) under the Thai Overseas Employment Administration at telephone number 02-245-6708 or hotline 1506, extension 2, Department of Employment.
