Youth unemployment in South Korea is reaching record levels, with over 328,000 young people not working or even looking for jobs, according to Statistics Korea. This figure includes both those who have stopped searching out of discouragement and others taking a break from job hunting. A young man interviewed explained his daily life while preparing for employment — spending around four hours a day job-hunting and improving his résumé and portfolio. Despite his efforts, he feels the job market has become increasingly competitive, with fewer opportunities available. Each rejection brings disappointment and affects his motivation, making the process emotionally exhausting. He also noted that even after finding a job, challenges continue, such as the financial pressure to buy a home. South Korea’s youth employment rate fell to 45.1%, marking a decline for the 16th consecutive month since May 2024. While the government and large corporations like Samsung and Hyundai are introducing measures to reduce youth unemployment, the problem persists. Many young Koreans still feel trapped in a cycle of endless competition and uncertainty about their future.
Vocabulary:
• unemployed (adj): without a job; not working.
• actively (adv): doing something with energy and effort.
• portfolio (noun): a collection of work that shows your skills.
• resume (noun): a document listing your experience and education for a job.
• competitive (adj): involving a lot of people trying to get the same thing.
• decline (noun/verb): a decrease or reduction in number or quality.
• pressure (noun): stress or worry caused by difficult situations.
• implement (verb): to start using a plan or system.
• corporation (noun): a large and important company.
• cycle (noun): a series of events that repeat in the same order.
Source: ABC News