Employment Ministry, Military Manpower Administration team up to ease job search for social service workers

The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Military Manpower Administration have established a cooperative framework to narrow the gap between the end of social service duty and the start of job preparation. The initiative aims to connect social service workers nearing the end of their service to the National Employment Support Program and help them enter the youth labor market.

The two agencies signed an MOU on building a cooperative employment support system for social service workers at the Military Manpower Administration's office in Daejeon on Monday.

The agreement is designed to minimize the period of uncertainty that social service workers face when exploring career paths and preparing for employment after completing their duty, and to allow them to prepare systematically even while still serving.

Under the MOU, the Military Manpower Administration will inform social service workers approaching the end of their service about the National Employment Support Program and identify those who wish to participate. Workers may apply starting two months before their service ends, and roughly 20,000 people are expected to be eligible each year.

The Employment Ministry will provide participants with tailored services including in-depth career counseling, vocational training and work-experience programs. Those who meet the income requirements will also receive a job-seeking allowance of 600,000 won ($391) per month for up to six months.

Starting this year, the employment-experience requirement for youth participants in the National Employment Support Program has been eased, making it easier for social service workers with no prior work history to receive support. The change opens the door for young people who were unable to build a separate career record during their 21-month service period.

The two agencies expect the agreement to serve as a leading example of inter-ministry cooperation that immediately connects employment policy to young people who have completed their military obligation. They said the arrangement will strengthen the job readiness of social service workers, shorten their job-search period and invigorate the youth employment market.

"A young person's first job is not just a personal matter — it is a challenge that our society must take responsibility for together," Employment Minister Kim Young-hoon said. "We will strengthen cooperation with the Military Manpower Administration so that the final step of those who have faithfully served the nation and society can become the first step toward employment."

The National Employment Support Program provides both employment support services and livelihood assistance to vulnerable job seekers, including low-income individuals and youth. Since its launch in 2021 through last year, a total of about 1.63 million people have participated, of whom approximately 1.14 million were young people.