The “2025 Korea Recruitment Expo” will be held at the aT Center in Seoul for two days from March 19 to 20 to address youth unemployment. Organized jointly by the government and major economic organizations, the expo aims to provide practical job opportunities to young job seekers by involving over 120 prominent domestic and international companies. However, there are criticisms that beyond the repeated format of the annual expos, there needs to be a focus on improving the quality of employment.
This expo will feature participation from leading companies such as Celltrion, LG Energy Solution, Josun Hotel & Resort, Com2uS, and Amkor Technology Korea. Job galleries will be set up in eight sectors, including information and communications, cultural content, bio-health, world-class medium-sized companies, foreign-invested companies, and small and medium venture enterprises, providing employment opportunities even for those aiming for overseas positions in countries like the United States and Japan.
During the event, alongside on-site interviews and recruitment briefings, there will be other services such as 1:1 resume consultation with employment center career counselors and free ID photo shooting. Also, programs like the “Youth On Lounge” will allow attendees to experience job policies targeted at youths such as the National Employment Support System and Future Tomorrow Work Experience. The recruitment briefings will be conducted through “Career On Square,” where leading companies in each sector introduce their hiring plans and ideal candidates for this year.
Pre-registration allows priority entry to the expo, but job seekers with a resume can also participate on-site. However, pre-registration is recommended as on-site registration may be limited at company booths with many pre-registered applicants. Details about pre-registration, participating companies, and the program schedule can be found on the official website (korearecruitmentexpo.kr).
The government intends to boost youth employment significantly through this expo. Yet, there is a call for strengthening a long-term and sustainable employment connection system that goes beyond formal participation to provide practical opportunities for job seekers. The importance of integrating follow-up recruitment performance management and employment support is emphasized, instead of merely ending with field consulting and interviews.
With large corporations and some medium-sized companies predominantly participating again this year, there is a particular focus on whether tailored jobs for young people, who are practically marginalized in employment, will be adequately developed. Efforts to enhance individual job seekers’ skills need to be coupled with structural improvements across the labor market.
Attention is on whether this year’s expo can serve as a turning point for youth employment rather than just being a simple event.