Seoul, Sept. 25 -- Vietnamese workers make up the largest proportion of foreigners living and working in the Republic of Korea (RoK)'s southeastern industrial belt, reflecting their significant contribution to the region's heavy industries, according to data from the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSTAT).

Figures cited by the Vietnam News Agency's correspondent in Seoul show that foreign residents in the region earn an average annual income of about 30 million KRW (21,400 USD).

The area, covering Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang province, currently hosts around 215,000 foreign nationals. Vietnamese workers account for the largest share at 22.2%, followed by Chinese nationals who are ethnic Koreans at 12.4% and other Chinese ...