South Korea to Hire 7,200 Nepalis in 2026 Under EPS

South Korea is looking to employ 7,200 Nepalis in 2026, according to a report carried by myRepublica on 21 July 2026. The headline figure was published via Google News, but the full page text was not available in the material provided for this article.

Why it matters

For Nepali jobseekers, any quota announcement from South Korea matters because the Employment Permit System (EPS) remains one of the most transparent and sought-after labour routes abroad. Unlike many private recruitment channels, EPS is government-to-government, which keeps costs lower and contracts more standardised.

General context — not from this specific report: South Korea typically sets country-wise quotas each year based on labour demand in manufacturing, agriculture, construction and other sectors. Nepal has been a regular partner under EPS for more than a decade, and demand has stayed strong because of high retention and compliance rates among Nepali workers. A figure of 7,200 for 2026 would therefore fit the broader pattern of steady, large-scale intake, though the exact sector-wise breakdown is not included in the material we have.

What it means practically is competition. When a quota is announced, tens of thousands of candidates usually prepare for the EPS-TOPIK Korean language test and the skills test. If you are planning for 2026, this headline is an early signal to get your language preparation and documents in order, rather than waiting for the formal notice.

Key details

Here is what is confirmed from the material provided, and what is not:

• What is confirmed: Destination country is South Korea. Intended intake is 7,200 Nepalis. Target year is 2026.
• Source and date: Reported by myRepublica, with a publication timestamp of Tue, 21 Jul 2026 07:00:00 GMT, as listed in the feed.
• What is not in the material: The sector-wise split, eligibility criteria, age limits, salary range, test dates, application deadlines, and whether this figure is new or part of a regular annual allocation. The page text field in the feed only showed "Google News" with no further detail.

General context — how EPS quotas usually work: In past years, South Korea's Ministry of Employment and Labour has announced quotas through the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRD Korea) in coordination with Nepal's Department of Foreign Employment and the EPS Korea Section in Kathmandu. Selection is normally based on EPS-TOPIK results, skills assessment and health checks. Final deployment depends on employer selection via the roster system. This is standard process information, not specific to the 7,200 figure reported this week.

How to apply

Since the myRepublica feed item does not include an application notice, there is no active form to fill right now for this 2026 quota. If you are aiming for next year, here is what experienced applicants usually do:

• Watch the official noticeboard: Keep an eye on the EPS Korea Section and the Department of Foreign Employment. Formal calls for EPS-TOPIK registration are published there first.
• Prepare core documents: Passport with sufficient validity, citizenship certificate, recent photos as per EPS specs, and your academic certificates. Don't hand originals to agents.
• Start Korean language prep early: The EPS-TOPIK test is competitive. Focus on listening and reading, plus the standard sector vocabulary for manufacturing and agriculture.
• Avoid extra fees: EPS is a government process. If anyone asks for a large upfront payment guaranteeing placement in South Korea, treat it as a red flag. Official fees are published and paid through designated channels only.
• Stay in the roster mindset: Passing the test puts you on a roster. You are then matched when a Korean employer selects your profile. That can take time, so keep your contact details and medical fitness up to date.

We will update this story when the full myRepublica report or the official EPS notice provides sector quotas, test schedule and deadlines.

Bottom line: 7,200 places for 2026 is a strong signal, but it's just the headline for now. Use the lead time to get language-ready and follow only official EPS channels.