In January 2026, South Korea achieved remarkable milestones in employment rate and economic participation, with both metrics reaching historic highs. The employment rate for individuals aged 15 and above stood at 61.0%, while the economic participation rate climbed to 63.6%. This growth is particularly significant as it marks the 13th consecutive month of double-digit increases in employment numbers, despite some challenges in the service sector and persistent youth unemployment. While the overall employment landscape appears positive, the youth unemployment rate has seen a concerning rise to 6.