The population of youths (aged 15-29) who are neither employed nor actively seeking jobs, referred to as the "rested" population, is recorded at 455,000 (as of March 2025). This is the highest number ever recorded for the same month. It is also an increase of 50,000 compared to the same month last year.
The government is investing a budget of 25 trillion won in youth job policy projects this year. Nevertheless, the surge in "rested" youth is attributed by the government to the lack of awareness of these projects among young people. Accordingly, the government has decided to actively promote youth job policy projects.
◇ The government provides tailored job policies for youths in "school," "job seeking," and "employed" statuses
The Ministry of Employment and Labor is currently conducting six tailored job policy projects, categorizing youths into "school," "job seeking," and "employed".
First, starting this year, a comprehensive service for employment support is being officially implemented for current students through the "Youth Employment All-Care Platform" project. This service involves directly reaching out to college seniors who consented to receive information and have not found employment, providing 1:1 employment support services. In a trial run last year involving eight university job centers, over 5,700 youth participated, resulting in 286 securing jobs.
Additionally, to assist youths who feel unable to find work due to a lack of experience, the "Future Tomorrow Work Experience" program has been established. This is a type of internship program involving more than 5,000 corporations, including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. This year, popular youth companies such as Naver, Kakao, and Hyundai Motor Company have also joined the program. Upon completion of the work experience program, participants receive a certificate stamped by the Minister of Employment and Labor. Applications for the program can be made through the Future Tomorrow Work Experience Integrated Platform Homepage.
'K-Digital Training (KDT)' is a program where one can receive vocational training in the fields of AI, semiconductors, bio, and digital. A representative program is identified as Samsung Electronics' SSAFY. Currently, recruitment is ongoing for 185 courses, including cybersecurity (MS) and AI Academy (Intel). Detailed information can be found on the Employment 24 website.
For youths who are job seeking or in a "rested" state, the "Youth Challenge Support Project" is being prepared. It provides psychological and practical support to youths who have given up on finding jobs or are in a state of resignation, helping them re-enter the labor market. Participants who complete the program diligently will also receive participation allowances.
There is also the "National Employment Support System," which economically assists those dedicated to job seeking. Job seekers from low-income backgrounds or those fulfilling their obligation to seek employment will be given job promotion allowances.
For youths currently employed in small and medium-sized enterprises, incentives in the form of the "Youth Job Leap Grant" are provided to encourage retention. Particularly, youths employed and retained in small and medium-sized enterprises in "vacant job" sectors such as manufacturing can receive up to 4.8 million won. Retention for 18 months earns 2.4 million won, and another 2.4 million won is awarded for 24 months of retention.
◇ The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Ministry of Economy and Finance job task force in operation… "We will encourage youth participation in employment programs"
On the 16th, the government discussed various youth employment measures at a job task force (TF) meeting attended by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, including surpassing the first-half direct job target of 1.2 million and reviving the employment hotline with six economic groups.
A representative from the Ministry of Employment and Labor noted, "We will intensively expose these job projects through college platforms like 'Everytime' and major recruitment platforms," adding that "starting this year, we will establish parent classes and peer support groups to help parents and friends identify youths who are struggling or have given up on job seeking, encouraging them to participate in employment support projects."