Halal Jobs in South Korea: Sectors and Procedures

South Korea opened up to the Muslim world through trade, major construction projects in the Middle East and, more recently, tourism and popular culture. The local Muslim community remains modest but is well organised, and halal is attracting growing interest from manufacturers exporting to South-East Asia and the Gulf.

This guide presents the context, growth sectors, the legal framework and the procedures for a foreign national considering working in Korea.

A small but organised community

Korea's links with Islam developed in the twentieth century, particularly after the Korean War, and then through the many Korean workers sent to construction sites in the Gulf in the 1970s and 1980s. The Seoul Central Mosque, in the Itaewon district, is the symbol of this history. The Korea Muslim Federation brings the community together and is also involved in halal certification.

Today the Muslim population includes Korean converts, as well as students and workers from Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries. The working language is Korean; English is rarely enough outside international companies and academia.

Export-oriented food and cosmetics

Korean ramyeon, snacks, sauces and cosmetics are very popular in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Middle East. To access these markets, many companies seek halal certification recognised by the authorities of the importing countries. They recruit quality managers, regulatory specialists and export officers, ideally bilingual. Our pages on halal cosmetics and on product compliance with halal standards describe these roles in detail.

Tourism and welcoming Muslim visitors

For several years the Korean tourism authorities have been encouraging the welcome of Muslim travellers: certified or "Muslim-friendly" restaurants, prayer rooms at tourist sites and specialist guides. These initiatives create a need for guides who speak Malay, Indonesian or Arabic, travel agents and restaurant staff trained in dietary requirements. Our page on Muslim-friendly hospitality presents these jobs.

The legal framework

The Korean Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and there is no state religion. The Labour Standards Act prohibits employers from treating an employee in a discriminatory way on grounds including religion. There is, however, no general right to prayer breaks or adjusted hours during Ramadan: these arrangements are negotiated. In a work culture where long hours and team dinners with plenty of alcohol are common, it pays to plan ahead. Our advice on prayer during work can help.

For questions about contracts or discrimination, the regional offices of the Ministry of Employment and Labour and the National Human Rights Commission are the official points of contact.

Visas and qualifications

Korea distinguishes between several categories of work visa. Skilled positions generally fall under a specific professional activity visa, obtained with the employer's support. An Employment Permit System also allows nationals of partner countries, including several Muslim-majority countries, to work in manufacturing, agriculture or fishing within a tightly regulated framework. A working holiday scheme exists for young people from many countries, including France and the United Kingdom. Foreign degrees generally need to be apostilled or legalised, and your level of Korean (TOPIK test) is often a decisive criterion.

Sought-after profiles

• Export and quality managers for South-East Asian and Gulf markets.
• Korean-Arabic, Korean-Indonesian or Korean-Malay translators.
• Engineers and researchers in electronics, the car industry or energy.
• Foreign language teachers.
• Tourism professionals who speak the languages of Muslim visitors.

Questions of lawfulness

Korean restaurants and entertainment give alcohol a prominent place, and pork is ubiquitous in local cooking. A job in a kitchen, in table service or in food marketing therefore needs to be examined carefully. Scholars generally distinguish between directly handling forbidden products and working for a company whose secondary activity raises questions. For a particular case, the opinion of a qualified scholar is recommended.

Practical tips

• Learn Korean as early as possible: it is the key to professional integration.
• Locate halal restaurants and mosques around Seoul, Busan or the industrial zones.
• Explain your dietary requirements courteously at company meals.
• Have your degrees apostilled before you leave.
• Find out whether the staff canteen labels its dishes, and bring your own lunch if it does not.
• Draw on Muslim student associations and expatriate networks.

In summary

South Korea offers opportunities mainly in exports, tourism and technology. Practising Muslims will find a welcoming community there, provided they master the language and prepare their discussions with the employer.