Photo not related to article [Getty Images Bank]
Photo not related to article [Getty Images Bank]

The number of foreign seafarers employed on South Korean vessels surpassed 33,000 for the first time last year, even as the total employed seafarer count held above 60,000. Korean seafarers, meanwhile, continued to decline, falling by more than 1,300 over the year.

According to the 2026 Korean Seafarer Statistics Yearbook, published Saturday by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the total number of employed seafarers stood at 60,543 as of the end of last year. Korean seafarers numbered 27,372 — down 1,359 from the previous year — while foreign seafarers rose by 650 to 33,171.

Foreign seafarers now account for 54.8 percent of all employed seafarers, well above the 45.2 percent share held by Koreans. The Korean share fell from 54.3 percent in 2021 to 45.2 percent last year, while the foreign share climbed from 45.7 percent to 54.8 percent over the same period.

Wages for Korean seafarers have risen consistently. The average monthly wage last year reached 6.55 million won ($4,210), up 310,000 won, or 5.0 percent, from 6.24 million won the previous year. Compared with 4.42 million won in 2015, wages have increased 41.2 percent.

By age group, seafarers 60 and older made up the largest share at 43.9 percent, or 12,002 people. Those in their 40s and 50s accounted for 30.9 percent (8,448), while seafarers under 40 represented 25.3 percent (6,922). The under-40 share has grown for three consecutive years — from 22.1 percent in 2023 to 24.4 percent in 2024 and 25.3 percent last year.

"The share of young seafarers is growing, but aging remains a challenge we still need to address," said Kim Hye-jeong, director general of the ministry's maritime and logistics bureau. "We plan to continue pursuing policies to expand the entry of young people into the industry and improve working conditions."


adastra@heraldcorp.com