Seoul: The Republic of Korea added more than 170,000 jobs in July, but employment losses continued in the manufacturing and construction sectors, while youth employment remained sluggish, data showed Wednesday. The number of employed people stood at 29.03 million last month, marking an increase of 171,000 from a year earlier.

According to Lao News Agency, the July figure highlights a continued upward trend in employment following a brief contraction in December, when the country experienced a net loss of 52,000 positions. Since that downturn, the labor market has demonstrated signs of modest recovery, showing consistent growth for seven consecutive months. Notably, the nation added 245,000 jobs in May, followed by a slight decrease to 183,000 in June.

Despite the overall positive trajectory, specific sectors such as manufacturing and construction are still facing challenges. The persistent weakness in these areas raises concerns about the sustainability of the current employment growth. Additionally, the s
luggish pace of youth employment remains a critical issue that requires attention to ensure long-term economic stability.