By Lee Han-soo, Kim Da-hee
Korea's youth unemployment rate reached a record 12.5 percent in February, up 1.4 percent year-on-year, according to state data, Wednesday. The figure represents roughly 560,000 people who remain unemployed after college graduation, says Statistic Korea.
The rate is normally high in February, compared with other months, because universities hold their commencements in that month. Thus the all-time high figure reflects the fact that senior students and other young adults are finding it increasingly difficult to get a job amid the protracted economic downturn.
This frozen job market has turned students' living pattern to one that focuses on study, distancing them from non-academic activities that are considered unessential to get a job. During vacation, the students flood into private academies to help them get good scores in exams, which in turn are expected to give them a better chance of landing a decent job.
Nevertheless, landing a decent job is still difficult.
Choi, 28, a college graduate, is still unemployed two years after graduation. He has applied to many companies, mostly well-known big companies, nearly 50 times over the two years. The result is deepening disappointment at himself and anger at society.
"It's a living hell," he said on condition of anonymity. "The unemployment rate feels much more than 12.5 percent. It's especially much harder for students with a liberal arts degree, such as mathematics and philosophy."
Another job seeker, 25, said she decided to sit the civil service exam after 13 companies rejected her job applications. She cited people's preference for big companies as a key culprit behind the intensifying competition.
"No one wants to receive a low wage," she said. "Everyone wants to work at a big conglomerate. I think people's strong preference for a big conglomerate makes the job market extremely tough for young people fresh out of university."
Kim, 25, a college graduate, could not find a job despite having a perfect TOEIC store and impressive performances in extracurricular activities.
"I applied to 13 companies in the latter half of last year, but I failed get a job," she said. "After failing to get a job, I decided to prepare for the public administration examination.
"This is not what I dreamed of doing, but I think studying for the examination is much better than going through the rigmarole of obtaining a position in a private firm."
"I was offered a temporary position by a public enterprise where I had an internship before. However, I rejected it because I knew how the company treated its contract workers."
Korea's youth unemployment rate reached a record 12.5 percent in February, up 1.4 percent year-on-year, according to state data, Wednesday. The figure represents roughly 560,000 people who remain unemployed after college graduation, says Statistic Korea.
The rate is normally high in February, compared with other months, because universities hold their commencements in that month. Thus the all-time high figure reflects the fact that senior students and other young adults are finding it increasingly difficult to get a job amid the protracted economic downturn.
This frozen job market has turned students' living pattern to one that focuses on study, distancing them from non-academic activities that are considered unessential to get a job. During vacation, the students flood into private academies to help them get good scores in exams, which in turn are expected to give them a better chance of landing a decent job.
Nevertheless, landing a decent job is still difficult.
Choi, 28, a college graduate, is still unemployed two years after graduation. He has applied to many companies, mostly well-known big companies, nearly 50 times over the two years. The result is deepening disappointment at himself and anger at society.
"It's a living hell," he said on condition of anonymity. "The unemployment rate feels much more than 12.5 percent. It's especially much harder for students with a liberal arts degree, such as mathematics and philosophy."
Another job seeker, 25, said she decided to sit the civil service exam after 13 companies rejected her job applications. She cited people's preference for big companies as a key culprit behind the intensifying competition.
"No one wants to receive a low wage," she said. "Everyone wants to work at a big conglomerate. I think people's strong preference for a big conglomerate makes the job market extremely tough for young people fresh out of university."
Kim, 25, a college graduate, could not find a job despite having a perfect TOEIC store and impressive performances in extracurricular activities.
"I applied to 13 companies in the latter half of last year, but I failed get a job," she said. "After failing to get a job, I decided to prepare for the public administration examination.
"This is not what I dreamed of doing, but I think studying for the examination is much better than going through the rigmarole of obtaining a position in a private firm."
"I was offered a temporary position by a public enterprise where I had an internship before. However, I rejected it because I knew how the company treated its contract workers."
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