A labor permit system for foreigners, which is causing considerable controversy locally, will be conducted following a pilot scheme.

The decision was made by President Roh in a briefing session held Thursday afternoon where chief policy-maker Chung Sye-kyun of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party outlined the troublesome system to Roh.

In the briefing, Chung said because discussions over the labor permit system are still not complete in political circles and economic circles oppose the system, extra measures should be created after the pilot scheme is implemented in specific business sectors.

The outcome of the scheme will then be compared with the current industrial trainee system.

Chung met with reporters after the briefing and explained about the difficulty of the full-scale adoption of the system and necessity of the pilot scheme.

According to Chung, the permit system will begin as early as possible, but it is difficult to start it within the first half of the year.