SOUTH KOREA

Firms to Hire More Foreigners: Many of South Korea’s manufacturing firms this week will begin to hire more foreign workers after a government decision to ease restrictions on the hiring of non-Koreans, a move designed to ease the country’s severe labor shortage. Companies welcomed the government’s decision but labor unions have objected, contending that the foreign influx will depress wages. There have been many reports of manpower shortages, particularly in mining, construction and other labor-intensive industries as workers seek jobs in the service sector.