South Korea’s Youth Face a Broken Job Market—Not a Lack of Willingness
South Korea’s youth unemployment crisis has reached a new high, with 736,000 people in their 20s and 30s neither working nor actively seeking jobs. The issue goes beyond laziness—many, like 34-year-old Kim, feel shut out of a market that favours experience over potential. After losing his job during the pandemic, Kim stopped searching, convinced companies didn’t want 'someone like me.'
Kim’s situation reflects a broader trend. For the past five years, he has lived with his parents, depending on their financial support. His struggle is not unique: only 13.9% of South Korea’s workforce is employed by large corporations—the lowest rate among OECD nations. Many young adults face an 'employment mismatch,' where small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) report labour shortages while youth unemployment remains stubbornly high. The root cause? Young job seekers often hold out for stable, high-paying roles, while SMEs struggle to attract them.
The problem extends beyond individual choices. Over half of companies (52.8%) prioritise expertise when hiring young adults, favouring workers who can adapt quickly. This leaves many without opportunities, even when willing to work. The World Economic Forum suggests skills-based hiring could ease the crisis, particularly during economic shocks. Such frameworks might recognise project work and skill accumulation as valid contributions, decoupling career legitimacy from continuous employment. Germany’s JOBSTARTER Transfer programme (2021–2023) offers a possible model. As a Transferprojekt, it temporarily deploys experts to train or certify skills in vocational training, especially in rural regions like Rhineland-Palatinate. While not a direct job placement scheme, it bridges gaps in structurally weak areas. South Korea’s government is now taking steps to address the issue, planning to identify vulnerable graduates early and provide support within four months of graduation. Yet the core issue remains: the 'resting youth' phenomenon isn’t about a lack of effort. It’s about a lack of opportunities in an unstable job market that often overlooks potential in favour of proven experience.
The record number of unemployed young adults in South Korea highlights deep structural flaws in the labour market. With the government now targeting early intervention for at-risk graduates, the focus shifts to whether skills-based hiring can create lasting change. For people like Kim, the question is no longer about willingness to work—but whether the system will finally make space for them.
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