Seoul: The government will work to expand employment services to help young adults find jobs, the acting president said Wednesday, amid tough job market conditions for youths. Acting President Choi Sang-mok made the remarks in an opening speech for the 2025 Korea Job Fair, which kicked off in Seoul for a two-day run through Thursday, according to the finance ministry.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Choi emphasized the importance of creating a sustainable future for South Korea by fostering a “virtuous cycle” where young adults’ challenges and passion drive corporate innovation and growth. In return, companies are expected to provide more opportunities for the youth, which will contribute to the nation’s economic sustainability.
Choi highlighted that corporate innovation, driven by excellent talent, has been a key factor in the sharp growth of South Korea’s economy, despite the country’s lack of natural resources. This innovation and growth model is seen as essential to addressing the current job market challenges faced by the younger population.
Recent data compiled by Statistics Korea indicates that the number of young South Koreans aged 15 to 29 who were jobless or chose to remain economically inactive surpassed 1.2 million last month. This figure marks an increase of 70,000 compared to last year’s 1.13 million, highlighting the urgency of addressing youth unemployment in the country.