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S. Korean gov’t to help youth find overseas jobs

June 15, 2015
(Yonhap)

South Korea will ramp up efforts to help young people find jobs overseas in an attempt to cope with high youth unemployment rate. (Yonhap)

(Yonhap) — South Korea will ramp up efforts to help young people find jobs in foreign countries in an attempt to cope with stubbornly high youth unemployment, the government said recently.

The move comes as the jobless rate among people aged between 15 to 29 stood at 10.2 percent in April, much higher than the 3.9 percent national average.

According to the finance ministry, the goal is to find at least 10,000 overseas positions for qualified people in 2017, up from 5,000 last year, with emphasis placed on getting young people jobs.

“Plans are underway to announce a revamped version of the government’s K-Move program next month that will outline ways to help people find quality work opportunities in foreign countries,” the ministry in charge of economic affairs said.

The existing version of the program has drawn flak for recommending jobs not favored by many South Koreans.

The ministry said job-related information on 15 countries will be made public, including what kinds of positions are available and the number of people needed. The government will also maintain a database on job opportunities on its website: www.worldjob.or.kr.

In addition, efforts are underway to get foreign countries to accept licenses issued in South Korea that can assist in job seeking, the ministry said.

At present, nursing and some medical licenses are accepted in certain countries, with China allowing professionals with certificates in information technology to work in related areas within its borders.