Korea added 292,000 wage jobs in the first quarter of 2026, led by gains in health and social welfare, accommodation, and food services. The number of salaried jobs reached 20.82 million in February, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics. Manufacturing and construction lost jobs, while older age groups saw the biggest increases. Most jobs were held by the same workers as a year earlier.
Job seekers are seen submitting documents and receiving assistance at an employment center in Mapo District, Seoul, Aug. 5. Yonhap
Korea added 292,000 wage jobs in the first quarter of 2026, driven by gains in the health and social welfare, accommodation, and food service sectors, while manufacturing and construction lost ground, official data showed Monday.
The number of salaried jobs stood at 20.82 million as of February, up 292,000 from a year earlier, the Ministry of Data and Statistics said.
According to the latest findings, 74 percent of the jobs were held by the same workers as a year earlier, while 15.3 percent were filled by new workers after the previous jobholders retired or changed jobs.
