When people in Korea think of “foreign workers,” they often imagine those employed only in the so-called 3D industries — dirty, dangerous, and difficult jobs that many locals tend to avoid. However, today, foreign workers in Korea are engaged in a much wider range of occupations than in the past.
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1. Maintain an Appropriate Distance
The greatest source of stress for many foreign workers is their unstable legal status.
They live in constant fear of being fired or deported if they fail to adapt well to their job.
Since they are unfamiliar with the company and its culture, they may also worry about being taken advantage of, which can cause them to withdraw and isolate themselves even further.
It’s therefore important for Korean coworkers to help them adjust by keeping a respectful and supportive psychological distance — neither too distant nor too intrusive.
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2. Be a Mentor
When foreign workers first arrive in Korea, language barriers can make even simple, everyday tasks feel overwhelming.
They might feel as though, “No one in this country understands me.”
Having a colleague who steps up as a mentor — saying something like, “If you ever face an emergency or have something you’d like to talk about, please come to me,” — can make a world of difference.
Small gestures of support help them feel safer and more connected.
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Source: Statement by Lee Jung-sik, Minister of Employment and Labor, during field interviews with foreign workers.
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Case A: Ms. A, a woman of Korean-Chinese descent in her mid-20s, came to Korea to live with her parents, who had moved there 20 years earlier to make a living.
Having grown up in China, she longed to finally experience the love and warmth of her family — but that joy was short-lived.
Years of financial hardship had strained her parents’ relationship, and when she returned home, even her presence felt unwelcome.
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Case B: Mr. B, an ethnic Han Chinese man working for a trading company, suffered racial discrimination at work.
He was unfairly paid less than his coworkers and treated poorly, which he attributed to his appearance.
In an attempt to fix the issue, he began “doctor shopping” — visiting multiple cosmetic surgery and dermatology clinics — but none of these efforts brought real relief or self-acceptance.
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Korea itself once had a history of sending workers abroad.
From 1966 to 1976, more than 10,000 Korean nurses were dispatched to Germany to ease unemployment and earn foreign currency.
In the 1970s, many Korean men spent 10 to 15 years working in construction projects in the Middle East, leaving behind their wives and children.
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In June 1984, a gunfight even broke out between government troops and Kurdish forces guarding Korean workers — an event that left families back home in deep anxiety, unable to reach their loved ones by phone.
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We must try to imagine what it feels like for families who send a loved one overseas to work.
To foreigners, Korea may appear far less stable or familiar than locals realize.
Their families, waiting in distant countries, live in constant worry about wars, accidents, or sudden crises that could arise.
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And what about the foreign workers themselves?
They often struggle to find jobs that offer fair pay or career growth, and many work under blurred job boundaries and intense stress.
If they also lack Korean language proficiency, they have nowhere to turn when facing unfair treatment or discrimination.
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In Korea, a large proportion of foreign workers are Han Chinese, while in countries like Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, many foreign workers come from the Philippines, Bangladesh, and India.
Regardless of nationality, however, they share similar hardships: discrimination, poor working conditions, inadequate safety training, workplace accidents, family conflict, and spousal infidelity.
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In Korea, the number of foreign construction workers continues to rise, and with it, the number of industrial accidents.
For many, working abroad is seen as their last opportunity — something they must endure at all costs.
But the constant pressure to adapt, combined with chronic anxiety and isolation, can drain their emotional energy and lead to depression or anxiety disorders.
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Ms. A, who had experienced deep sadness, eventually decided — after several counseling sessions — to let go of her expectations about her family and return to China, where new possibilities awaited her.
Mr. B began developing an online business selling Korean products to Chinese consumers, exploring new directions for his future..
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While national policies addressing foreign workers’ welfare have improved, it’s equally vital that foreign workers themselves learn to care for their own mental health, and that coworkers and communities show understanding and support to help them adapt and thrive.
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If you know a foreign worker who’s struggling, try becoming a mentor and share the following advice!
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1. Practice Self-Care
Encourage them to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Earning money and sending it home isn’t everything — staying physically and mentally healthy is key to long-term success.
Remind them to eat nutritious food, get enough sleep, rest, exercise, and find small hobbies that bring joy.
These habits build resilience and help manage stress.
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2. Build a Social Network
Encourage them to make friends outside the workplace and connect with community groups that offer mutual support.
Many ethnic communities have informal associations that help members look out for each other.
Keeping in touch with family and friends provides emotional stability and relieves loneliness.
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3. Don’t Get Trapped in Your Thoughts
Our minds constantly talk, judge, and criticize — and such inner voices can become dangerous when someone spends too much time alone.
If they’re new to Korea or spend long hours in isolation, remind them that not all thoughts reflect reality and that seeking conversation or help is a healthy step.
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4. Seek Professional Help
No one should face every hardship alone.
Depression and anxiety are often too complex to manage without support.
Even if therapy seems expensive, there are affordable counseling programs available through mental health professionals and community centers.
It’s important to reach out early rather than endure silently.
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