University graduates face fierce competition to become janitors
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Of the new employees, three have a university degree and one a degree from a community college. / Korea Times file
By Lee Han-soo
Over a third of the 66 applicants for janitor jobs in Seoul had university degrees, according to the Eunpyeong-gu office Thursday.
The district employed four of the applicants, marking a competition rate of 16.5 to 1. Of the new employees, three have a university degree and one a degree from a community college.
The steep competition and higher-education degrees of applicants show that people are striving for steady jobs in Korea.
The janitors are paid 35 million won ($30,998) annually and the position guarantees a stable job until the nation’s recommended retirement age of 60.
“The janitorial position was targeted for breadwinners in their 40s to help lower the unemployment rate in the country,” a Eunpyeong-gu official said.
The four successful applicants will begin work next month.