Hirono Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Encourage Greater Ties Between American and Korean Businesses

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, as South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol marks his first visit to the United States, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation that builds on the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) and encourages greater ties between American and Korean businesses. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) joined Senator Hirono in introducing the Partner with Korea Act in the Senate and Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Young Kim (R-CA) introduced the companion legislation in the House.

“The United States’ partnership with South Korea is critical to both of our countries and economies,” said Senator Hirono. “Expanding the E nonimmigrant visa category will help further strengthen trade between our nations while increasing the number of qualified workers in the U.S. As we welcome President Yoon to Washington, I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan Partner with Korea Act with Senator Mullin and Representatives Connolly and Kim to help further strengthen our important bilateral relationship and economic cooperation.”

The Partner with Korea Act 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. Similar visa allotments were created following our free trade agreements with other countries, including Australia and Singapore.

The KORUS FTA passed Congress in 2011 and took effect in March of 2012. The Partner with Korea Act was previously introduced in the 113th, 114th, 115th, 116th, 117th Congresses.

The full text of the bill is available here.

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