The Korean near coastal or inland waters shipping industry is currently facing a severe shortage of maritime officers, exacerbated by an aging workforce. Over the past decade, the number of junior-grade maritime officers has constantly declined,, with the workforce now aged 60 or older. The root causes include declining youth populations, poor working conditions, wage disparities compared to ocean going vessels, and increasing avoidance of seafaring among younger generations. To address this, introducing non-Korean officers emerges as a viable solution. Revising the Ship Officers Act to allow officers who are not Korean on near coastal or inland water vessels and leveraging visa systems (E-5, E-7) to support foreign officers’ training, employment, and settlement are key measures. Programs such as training foreign officers under the D-4 visa or converting proficient foreign students (D-10 visa) into certified officers provide practical pathways.Furthermore, improving working conditions through fostering better treatment for near coastal or inland officers is critical. Introducing non-Korean officers will mitigate workforce shortages while contributing to long-term sustainability in the shipping industry by aligning with national population and economic policies.