South Korea has become the first country to sign an agreement with Kyrgyzstan on accepting Kyrgyz labor migrants. Korean agencies expressed an interest in receiving Kyrgyz workers in November 2002, but final arrangements were made only in September during a visit to South Korea by Kyrgyz Labor and Social Security Minister Roza Aknazarova. The ministry\'s employment centers will have responsibility for the selection and training of Kyrgyz citizens taking jobs in South Korea. A private Kyrgyz firm called Eldorado has concluded its own contract with South Korea to supply workers. The Foreign Ministry says it intends to launch television commercials in January that will inform job seekers about how to apply for work in South Korea, although Foreign Ministry Migration Department Director Zafar Hakimov told a press conference in Bishkek on 16 December that the number of Kyrgyz citizens seeking jobs abroad has declined since 2000. Interfax reported on 17 December that Hakimov attributed the decline to improvements in the Kyrgyz economy. (kabar.kg)