Ulsan seeks extension of preemptive employment crisis zone designation

Ulsan is pushing to extend the "preemptive employment crisis zone" designation covering its Nam-gu district before the current term expires, aiming to stabilize local employment and restore industrial competitiveness. The Ministry of Employment and Labor granted the designation in January.

Under the designation, Nam-gu secured 2 billion won ($1.3 million) in national funding to support petrochemical-sector companies and workers through July 11. The funds have been used to ease corporate operating burdens and preserve jobs, covering employment retention subsidies and job-placement assistance, among other programs.

The petrochemical sector's recovery has stalled, however, and employment uncertainty persists amid a global economic slowdown and structural shifts in the industry.

In response, Ulsan is in talks with the Ulsan branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor on a plan to extend the designation by six months.

To trigger the extension process, the Ulsan branch director must submit a formal recommendation to the ministry. The ministry's Employment Policy Deliberation Council then reviews and decides on the request.

"Continued support for employment stability is needed given the delayed recovery in the petrochemical sector," a city official said. "We will do our utmost to secure the extension."