“Work, Save, Then Go Home”: How Indonesian Workers View Korea

For many Indonesian workers, working in Korea is not about building a long-term life. Instead, it is seen as a temporary strategy to achieve financial goals before returning home.

A 30-year-old factory worker in Chungcheong shared this perspective clearly. From the beginning, his goal was simple: work, save money, and go back. He does not see Korea as a place to settle, but as a way to accelerate his financial progress.

“My target is simple. Three years is enough. After that, I go home,” he said. With a monthly income of around 3 million won, he is able to save over 1.5 million won consistently. From a financial standpoint, the plan works well.

However, there are clear reasons why he does not consider staying longer. The physical demands, work pressure, and exhausting daily routine make it difficult to imagine a long-term life there.

“It’s too tiring. I can’t see myself living here long,” he explained. His words highlight a key reality: financial opportunity does not always translate into long-term comfort.

This approach is common among migrant workers. Korea becomes a “strategic country”—a place to work intensively for a limited time, build savings, and return home with a clearer future.

This story shows that working abroad is not always about settling permanently. For many, it is a calculated move to move forward faster in life.