"Go Work at a Factory" vs "Look to the Future": Employment Freeze, 2030 Job Conflict

"Most Jobs in Factories... Youths Are Satisfied"
20s and 30s "Carefully Decide Career While Considering Future Prospects"
Government Aims to Improve 'Employment Shock' Through Private Employment

Reference photo. The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "We're just running the machines, I tell you. If it's so hard to make a living, then why don't people come to the factories!"

With January employment figures marking a disastrous record, the 'employment freeze' has reached its most severe level since the foreign exchange crisis. In particular, the population that was 'just resting' without any job-seeking activities stood out among people in their 20s.

As a result, critical voices such as "Why not just take any job that comes your way?", "Young people are spoiled," and "There are no workers in the factories. Why don't they come here?" have grown louder. While some young people sympathize with these views, they argue that they are carefully deciding their career paths considering their future and prospects from the perspective of their life plans.

On the 15th, President Moon Jae-in said at the senior secretaries' meeting, "As predicted, the employment statistics confirm that this is the most serious employment crisis since the foreign exchange crisis," and added, "In this unprecedented employment crisis phase, please devise additional measures beyond the planned and scheduled employment policies with extraordinary determination." He further instructed, "Prepare special employment measures swiftly to improve the employment situation for young people and women."

Although the president used extreme expressions such as 'foreign exchange crisis' and 'unprecedented' and ordered the preparation of 'special employment measures,' some are crying out that there are no workers available.

Kim, who identified himself as being in his late 40s and working at a factory with about 40 employees, lamented, "Companies like this are unable to find workers and have had to shut down machines for months due to labor shortages." He continued, "A stern warning seems necessary for Korean youth who only look for good-quality jobs," expressing frustration, "There are more foreign workers on site than Korean youth."

Following Kim's claims, some easily criticize young people in their 20s and 30s, saying, "If they really wanted to work, why are they picky about jobs?" However, young people argue that they are searching for jobs considering many factors, including future prospects.

Job seekers visiting the youth recruitment fair are checking the job postings on the company's bulletin board. [Image source=Yonhap News]

A company employee in his late 20s working in an office said cautiously, "Even if I get a job, there should be some future prospects. Most production jobs like factory work have poor treatment or blocked career paths. Honestly, it's off-putting."

Another young person in their 20s, who said they actually work in production, stated, "Working in production itself is not the problem," but pointed out, "However, the treatment is very poor, and the labor intensity is high. Also, the social perception of working in a factory is not good. Which young person would want to work in a factory recklessly?"

Meanwhile, Choi, a person in their 20s preparing for employment, said, "Of course, if you need money immediately and life is difficult, you can do any job, not just factory work," but added, "Still, choosing a job is not just about being picky; it should be seen as planning one's future."

On the other hand, as President Moon pointed out, the employment trend in Korea is currently at a dire level. According to Statistics Korea's 'January 2021 Employment Trends,' the number of employed people decreased for 11 consecutive months since March last year, reaching 25,818,000. This is 982,000 fewer than a year ago.

The number of unemployed rose by 417,000 from a year earlier to 1,570,000, marking the highest ever since the statistical standard changed in June 1999. Young people were particularly affected. The decrease in the number of employed by age group was Δ20s -255,000 Δ30s -273,000 Δ40s -210,000 Δ50s -170,000 Δ60s and above -15,000.

Among people in their 20s, those who were literally 'just resting' without any job or job-seeking activities last month accounted for 460,000, an increase of 105,000 (29.4%) compared to the same month last year.

The government is also taking the 'employment shock' seriously. In particular, it has expressed its determination to resolve the employment freeze through private-sector employment. Even Lee Jae-gap, Minister of Employment and Labor, said at the Environment and Labor Committee's work report session held at the National Assembly the day before, "Since COVID-19 is a global situation, all countries are facing employment difficulties," and added, "Increasing private-sector employment creation capacity is most important, but the situation is not easy."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.