South Korea had 21.1 million paid employee positions in November 2025, up 221,000 from a year earlier and marking a third straight quarter of wage-job growth.
The gain accelerated from 139,000 in the previous quarter, driven by hiring in health and social welfare, hospitality, and science and technology.
Manufacturing and construction still weakened, shedding 14,000 and 88,000 jobs respectively despite the broader increase.
Workers in their 20s and younger lost 111,000 jobs, while employment for people in their 60s and older jumped 246,000, underscoring the impact of South Korea's aging population.
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