Bipartisan Partner with Korea Act offered by Kim

U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) on May 20 introduced a bipartisan bill that would provide high-skilled visas for nationals of the Republic of Korea.

“South Korea is one of our most important allies and is home to a highly skilled and diverse workforce that is essential to our nation’s continued economic success and national security in Asia,” said Rep. Kim, vice ranking member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia and Nonproliferation.

Rep. Kim is the lead original cosponsor of the Partner with Korea Act, H.R. 3382, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA). The bill builds upon the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) and encourages greater ties between American and Korean businesses, according to a bill summary provided by the congresswoman’s office.

H.R. 3382 would create an allotment of 15,000 E-4 highly skilled work visas for Korean nationals with specialized education and expertise, provided that potential employers can ensure the visa holders are not hired for positions that American workers could fill, according to the summary.

“The U.S. must treat South Korea like the strong partner it is and leverage the KORUS FTA to expand our relationship and benefit both of our countries,” Rep. Kim said. “I am proud to join forces with Rep. Gerry Connolly to do exactly that by introducing the bipartisan Partner with Korea Act … and I’ll continue to work in Congress to help strengthen” the relationship between the United States and Korea. 

Introduction of the bill preceded a May 21 meeting between President Joe Biden and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, whom Rep. Kim met later that day along with other congressional leaders.