Labor Ministry teams up with CU to promote youth support programs

The Ministry of Employment and Labor is partnering with convenience store chain CU to raise awareness of government youth support programs, hoping job-seeking young people will encounter the initiatives naturally in their daily lives through a familiar private brand.

The ministry announced Monday that it will hold the "2026 Youth Cheering Event" from July 1 through July 31.

The event is tied to Yonsei Milk Cream Bread, a product sold at CU stores. Selected packages contain a "hidden ticket," and winners can receive up to 100 bread exchange vouchers. Customers who purchase the product and enter the event are also eligible for various prizes.

The event will also introduce two of the ministry's flagship youth support programs: the Youth Challenge Support Project and the Youth Growth Project.

The Youth Challenge Support Project assists young people struggling to enter the job market by offering psychological counseling, career planning and tailored programs. The Youth Growth Project, centered on youth cafes, provides job-preparation spaces, networking opportunities and job-search support programs to help young people with both employment preparation and daily recovery. Both programs accept online applications through the Goyong 24 platform.

Ha Chang-yong, the ministry's director general for youth employment policy, said many young people still remain unaware of government youth support programs. "It is just as important for policies to reach young people as it is to create good ones," Ha said. "We will use brands and content that young people find familiar to bring our policies closer to them."