South Korea Raises Upper Age Limit for Youth Employment Policies from 29 to 34

South Korea will broaden the legal definition of “youth” used in employment policy, raising the upper age limit from 29 to 34 starting Aug. 18. The change will align the enforcement decree with the Youth Employment Promotion Special Act.

The revised rule covers people aged 15 to 34 and is intended to allow more people to receive government support, including vocational training and job placement services. The Labor Ministry said the measure would create a consistent age range for policy beneficiaries and more actively support young people entering the labor market.

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The measure will ensure consistency in the range of young people covered by policy and enable more active support for their entry into the labor market.

The same day, the Public Service Workers Committee will begin operating under a separate enforcement decree. The committee will discuss employment and pay policies affecting public-sector contract workers, fixed-term and dispatched workers, and other nonregular employees.

The committee will include a working committee of up to 30 members, a development council of up to 20, and sector-specific councils of up to 15 each. The working committee will address policy and budget issues among government ministries. The development council, with labor, management, government and experts, will discuss practical ways to improve working conditions. Sector councils will examine conditions by institution and occupation, report their findings, and pass recommendations through the committee structure.

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The measure will help eliminate discrimination against public service workers and advance the goals of improving employment quality and public services.