Korea vows tailored support for youth employment amid job market challenges

Sejong - The South Korean government has pledged to deliver a range of assistance to young individuals, covering job hunting and career growth, according to a statement from the Finance Ministry on Friday. This commitment comes as the nation grapples with persistent employment issues affecting its youthful population. The Ministry of Finance and Economy has introduced a strategy aimed at strengthening youth employment, acknowledging that young job seekers are still encountering significant obstacles due to economic instability.

According to government statistics, the employment rate for individuals aged 20 to 24 declined to 41.3 percent in the second quarter, down from the 2025 average of 43.6 percent. For those aged 25 to 29, the rate was recorded at 71.5 percent, compared to 71.8 percent in the same quarter of the previous year. The announcement coincided with the ongoing challenge of a high number of individuals categorized as "just resting."

Defined by the data ministry as those not actively seeking employment despite being healthy, this group comprised 378,000 young people aged 15 to 29 in the second quarter – a decrease of 28,000 from the previous year, yet still a considerable figure. The government's proposed blueprint outlines a set of measures to address these concerns, with the aim of bolstering the employment prospects of Korea's youth.