○ Bulgogi making and tasting event held at Gyeonggi Food Plaza for foreign seasonal workers
○ Also includes traditional culture tour with visits to National Agricultural Museum of Korea and Korean Folk Village
On June 14, the Gyeonggi Provincial Government hosted a Korean cultural experience event at the Gyeonggi Food Plaza for foreign seasonal workers employed in Yeoncheon County.

The event was prepared to offer foreign seasonal workers a chance to directly engage with Korean culture and sentiments.

The 29 seasonal workers who participated arrived from Vietnam on April 1 and are scheduled to assist with farming in Yeoncheon until late November.

The Gyeonggi Food Plaza, situated in Seodun-dong, Suwon City, is a cultural space designed to promote communication and provide diverse food-related experiences and educational programs. The day’s program included bulgogi making and tasting, as well as visits to the National Agricultural Museum of Korea and the Korean Folk Village to deepen participants’ understanding of Korean agricultural traditions and food culture.

This event was held in collaboration with the Immigrant Society Bureau, which oversees policies related to immigrant rights protection and community integration. It was also designed with participant input, including the choice of bulgogi as the featured dish based on the preferences of the Vietnamese workers.

On the day of the event, participants were divided into two groups for morning activities. One group took part in making and tasting bulgogi at the Food Plaza, while the other toured the National Agricultural Museum, after which the groups switched. In the afternoon, all participants visited the Korean Folk Village to experience traditional Korean culture firsthand and immerse themselves in Korean customs and values.

Vietnamese seasonal worker Phung Van Phuoc To (46) remarked, “Despite the busy work in Yeoncheon, this Korean cultural experience helped me deepen my understanding of Korea. I appreciate Gyeonggi Province’s warm consideration.”

Park Jong-min, Director General of Gyeonggi Province’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Life Sciences Bureau, stated, “We hope this event helps foreign seasonal workers feel closer to Korean culture and supports their emotional well-being and community integration.” He added, “We plan to expand the program based on requests from local governments and will strengthen emotional support through on-site human rights and psychological counseling.”

Kim Won-gyu, Director General of Gyeonggi Province’s Immigrant Society Bureau, accompanied the visitors at the event and added, “We hope this cultural experience encourages migrant workers to be seen as respected community members beyond their labor role.” He added, “We will continue efforts to establish institutional support and promote cultural understanding to help foreign seasonal workers and other immigrants settle well.”

The number of foreign seasonal workers in Gyeonggi Province has risen by more than 50% from last year, with 4,336 assigned across 19 cities and counties in the first half of 2025. As of June 2, 3,657 workers have arrived and are assisting farms facing labor shortages.