Support by KOTRA and SBC(Small & Medium Business Corporation)

Case 1.

YoungJun Kim, the CEO of Dongwoo Optron, manufacturing company in Optical Technology was faced with a difficulty as he was trying to localize spectroscopes.

The reason is that he could not find an expert for technical development. It was rare to find applicants who major in the related field to this specific position and mostly, compared to foreign experts, domestic experts had a lack of professionalism. With frustrating mind, Mr. Kim turned to “Contact KOREA” as he looked for a way to hire foreign professionals instead.

“Contact KOREA” has been established to help small Korean companies experiencing a shortage of skilled labor. Just like a recruiting firm, Contact KOREA introduces foreign professionals to Korean companies. Through Contact KOREA, Dongwoo Optron hired Gi-Dong Oh, Canadian Korean Ph.D in Electrical Engineering in three months. Moreover, with Mr. Oh’s knowledge and experience, Dongwoo Optron got to develop spectroscopes successfully and got ready for expanding their market in advanced spectroscope, where U.S. and Europe spectroscopes took over mostly.

Hiring foreign professionals from overseas in small Korean companies are increasing. One of reasons is that it is hard to find the right professionals since Korean professionals prefer to work in mega companies. Thus, more of small Korean companies tend to hire professionals for advance technology.

Case 2.

SeKwang Hitech, the fitting manufacturer, in Daegu recruited a Japanese professional, Nakamijo Junich beginning of last year. Mr. Nakamijo had his career from “Yamazaki Mazak”, a well-known Japanese machine tools company.

When JeongSang Lee, the CEO of SeKwang Hitech visited “Yamazaki Mazak” frequently for business, he took a good look at Mr. Nakamijo for the knowledge about machine tools. As soon as Mr. Lee heard that Mr. Nakamijo retired, he contacted and recruited Mr. Nakamijo as an advisor of SeKwang Hitech. With the knowledge of Nakamijo, SeKwang Hitech got to develop “Auto-Quality Test Machine” and through this, SeKwang Hitech improved qualities on its items. Based on this, SeKwang Hitech clinched the contract which is worth of $500,000 with Japanese agricultural equipment company called “Kubota”.

There are additional benefits for hiring foreign professionals; such as creating an different atmosphere from Korean professionals. According to IlHyun Jung from Dongwoo Optron, he said “Foreign professionals are not afraid of developing a new technology with passion and positive attitude”.

Jinwon Heo, the deputy of head department in Contact KOREA, KOTRA said “Many small Korean companies have contacted to our department to recruit foreign professionals these days”. Also, he mentioned that through Contact KOREA, KOTRA provides an one-stop service such as holding and connecting online interviews between applicants and companies, verifying education/experience background, and sponsoring visa/immigration.

ⓒ 2010. 4. 11  www.HanKyung.com