Korea added 221,000 wage jobs in the fourth quarter of 2025 from a year earlier, though youth employment went down, government data showed Tuesday. The number of paid employee positions stood at 21.1 million as of November 2025, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics. Wage job growth has continued on an upward trend for the third consecutive quarter, with the fourth-quarter gain sharply higher than the 139,000 jobs added in the previous three-month period. The increase was mainly driven by employment growth in the health and social welfare sectors, as well as the hospitality industry, and the science and technology sector. Wage jobs in the manufacturing and construction sectors, the main pillars of the Korean economy, however, decreased by 14,000 and 88,000 on-year in the fourth quarter, respectively. A significant share of new positions was taken by older workers, reflecting the country’s aging population. By age group, the number of jobs for people in their 20s and younger dropped by 111,000, or 3.7 percent, to 2.87 million. Employment for those in their 40s also declined, fall
Korea adds 221,000 wage jobs in Q4; youth employment declines
in News
Related Posts
Latest News from Korea
- Lost in translation no more: Seoul overhauls subway app for foreign riders
Seoul’s metropolitan transit agency announced on Tuesday a thorough redesign of its mobile navigation app, aiming to strip away the language barriers that have long complicated travel for international visitors on the city’s massive subway system. The transit agency, Seoul Metro, is shifting its mobile strategy away from simple text translation to a complete infrastructural redesign of its “Seoul Subway”… Read more: Lost in translation no more: Seoul overhauls subway app for foreign riders - Putin visits China to reaffirm Russia ties as Xi also seeks stable US relations after Trump summitBEIJING — Russian President Vladimir Putin is traveling to China to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping less than a week after U.S. President Donald Trump wrapped up his own trip to Beijing . Putin is scheduled to be in China on Tuesday and Wednesday in a visit likely to be closely watched as Beijing seeks to maintain stable relations… Read more: Putin visits China to reaffirm Russia ties as Xi also seeks stable US relations after Trump summit
- Korea adds 221,000 wage jobs in Q4; youth employment declinesKorea added 221,000 wage jobs in the fourth quarter of 2025 from a year earlier, though youth employment went down, government data showed Tuesday. The number of paid employee positions stood at 21.1 million as of November 2025, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics. Wage job growth has continued on an upward trend for the third consecutive quarter,… Read more: Korea adds 221,000 wage jobs in Q4; youth employment declines
- Congolese-born TV personality completes Korean naturalization examJonathan Yiombi, the Congolese-born entertainer widely known in Korea as the “Congo Prince,” said he has completed all required tests for Korean naturalization and is now waiting for the results. The update came during an appearance with his sister, Patricia Yiombi, on a recent episode of the YouTube talk show hosted by Jung Jae-hyung. When Jung asked whether his nationality… Read more: Congolese-born TV personality completes Korean naturalization exam
- Ahead of Korea’s dog meat ban, this meat is boomingAs Korea’s ban on dog meat consumption is set to take effect next year, the goat market is seeing a boom as an alternative source of restorative food, signaling a potential shift in the livestock industry landscape in Gyeonggi Province, the country’s largest such market. Gyeonggi Province said Monday that the Paju-Yeoncheon Livestock Cooperative, which operates a goat auction market,… Read more: Ahead of Korea’s dog meat ban, this meat is booming
Latest Entertainment from Korea
- LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings CollectionPhoto Credits: CHROMOSOME LE’V Illuminates 2026 with “Spotlight Soul” LE’V enters 2026 with a statement that feels both cinematic and deeply personal. His Season’s Greetings “Spotlight Soul” concept photos reveal a striking evolution — one that merges emotional depth with artistic clarity. The project, released as a collector’s visual experience, celebrates not just another year but LE’V’s firm grasp on identity, craft,… Read more: LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings Collection
- KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty CodesPhoto Credits: SPUR Dior Starship Entertainment A New Year, A New Iconic Pairing SPUR Magazine opens 2026 with a collaboration that feels both intimate and electric. The January 2026 Issue Pictorial Preview showcases KiiiKiii Leesol and Haum in a visual dialogue infused with Dior Addict’s luminous rebellion. Titled “Light Moves: The Addict State of Mind”, the spread captures the interplay of motion, reflection, and self-definition—a signal… Read more: KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty Codes
- Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & IdentityPhoto Credits: Hi-Hat Entertainment The Convergence of Vision and Identity The January 2026 Pictorial from ifeye × KITTO Taiwan marks a defining moment in East Asian creative media. Framed as both a celebration and an evolution, the collaboration bridges art direction, fashion narrative, and technological fluidity to capture a new generation’s pulse. More than a photoshoot, this issue acts as a visual manifesto—an exploration of… Read more: Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & Identity
- Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover StoryPhoto Credits: KLAP ENTERTAINMENT Kep1er’s Xiaoting Captures the Moment Kep1er’s Shen Xiaoting steps into 2026 as a muse of modern elegance, fronting the January 2026 Wonderland China cover with an aura that’s both futuristic and fiercely grounded. As one of the brightest stars of her generation, Xiaoting embodies the balance between aspiration and artistry that defines global pop’s next chapter. “Confidence is not just… Read more: Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover Story
- BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional PrecisionPhoto Credits: GQ Korea – Cartier – BigHit Music. – BTS V x Cartier: The Sound of Stillness and Strength For GQ Korea’s February 2026 issue, the cover unfolds like a cinematic confession. BTS’s V (Kim Taehyung)—known for his magnetic duality of mystery and warmth—joins forces with Cartier, the house synonymous with precision, artistry, and legacy. Together, they create a visual symphony that celebrates… Read more: BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional Precision
Learn People & History of Korea
- The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan CityAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Busan Busan, known as the second largest metropolitan city in South Korea, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The earliest recorded existence of Busan can be traced to the Goryeo Dynasty, where it was referenced as a vital coastal settlement. Its strategic location along the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula… Read more: The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan City
- The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political DynamicsIntroduction to Pyongyang Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea, serves as a prominent symbol of the nation’s history and culture. Geographically located on the banks of the Taedong River, in the southwest part of the country, Pyongyang is situated within a strategic area that has historically facilitated trade and cultural exchange. The city’s origins can be traced back to… Read more: The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political Dynamics
- The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and BeyondAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Seoul The city of Seoul, known today as the vibrant capital of South Korea, has ancient roots that trace back to the Three Kingdoms period of Korea, specifically the kingdoms of Baekje and Silla. Evidence suggests that Seoul was originally established as a settlement given its strategic geographical advantages. Nestled within the Han River basin,… Read more: The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and Beyond
- Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3Introduction to Korean Traditional Games Korean traditional games have long been an integral part of the country’s cultural landscape, offering more than mere entertainment. These games, which range from simple children’s pastimes to complex community activities, hold significant cultural significance and often serve as a means of preserving history and promoting social interaction. Rooted in centuries of tradition, these games… Read more: Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3
- Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune TellingIntroduction to Saju Saju, a traditional Korean fortune-telling practice, is an intricate art that seeks to interpret an individual’s fate based on their birth date and time. The term “Saju” translates to “four pillars” in English, referring to the four critical components derived from these time markers: year, month, day, and hour. This method holds significant cultural value within South… Read more: Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune Telling
