Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Julius]

MAY 29, 2009
A Korean Invasion Blindsides the U.S. Army -- but in a Good Way

Immigrants From Peninsula Swamp Program Offering Citizenship; Other Groups Squeezed

The program was authorized without fanfare late last year by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to attract temporary immigrants who speak strategically important languages such as Arabic, Farsi and Korean. The bait: The soldiers could immediately apply for U.S. citizenship, skipping the sometimes decadelong process of securing a green card first.

So many Koreans have applied, however, that the Army doesn't need them all.

Koreans form the largest group among the 8,000 applicants for the program, launched on Feb. 23. Many have excellent credentials, including degrees in medicine and engineering. Almost all are veterans of South Korea's own compulsory military service.

"The quality of these applicants has been phenomenal," says Lt. Col. Peter Badoian, the project officer for the pilot program. "But we didn't anticipate one immigrant community would respond so strongly."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124355542084664647.html

[Robot_Teacher]

While it could be viewed as Koreans replacing American professionals in the American job market, it also can be viewed as Korean professionals bringing something to the table that will add value in the long term to America's core competencies in the sciences that will lead to future American R&D which creates jobs and profitability in American companies.