Gangdong-gu in Seoul announced Friday that it has won the Ministry of Employment and Labor minister's award in the local jobs disclosure category at the 2026 National Local Government Jobs Awards.
The National Local Government Jobs Awards is a program run by the Ministry of Employment and Labor that comprehensively evaluates the previous year's employment policy performance across all 243 metropolitan and basic local governments nationwide and selects outstanding districts for recognition.
Gangdong-gu was selected for the first time as the top local government in the local jobs disclosure category. The district earned the recognition by generating tangible employment results through tailored job policies that reflect local conditions and the needs of different demographic groups.
The district drew particular attention as a model for linking business attraction with local hiring through a resident-priority employment policy tied to companies in the area. The initiative produced 324 hires at Godeok Biz Valley and 143 at an advanced business complex. In small-business financial support, the district also pursued the largest loan assistance program among Seoul's autonomous districts, contributing to reduced operating burdens and a more active local economy.
Youth employment was another area of active effort. The district operated a youth startup support space and supplied youth startup housing to create a stable environment for new ventures, building a support system that follows entrepreneurs from the early launch stage through growth and helps young residents put down roots in the community.
For senior and women's employment, the district focused on expanding jobs linked to care services. Gangdong-gu became the first autonomous district in Seoul to operate a support team for the government's extended school care program, creating jobs in education and childcare. From 2025, hiring of child-care workers shifted to a year-round recruitment system, increasing the number of hires and establishing a stable caregiving workforce.
Support for middle-aged residents seeking to re-enter the workforce was also strengthened. The district runs tailored programs combining re-employment consulting with job-skills training to help participants secure actual employment. Programs targeting residents in their 40s and 50s focus on building vocational competencies and connecting participants with job opportunities to help them plan a second chapter in their careers.
The district has also pursued phased self-sufficiency support and public job programs for residents in need of employment assistance, working to eliminate gaps in coverage. The breadth of job policies tailored to each demographic group — expanding opportunities for anyone who wants to work — was cited as a key factor behind the award.
"This award is a result that the local businesses and residents of the district created together," Gangdong-gu District Mayor Lee Su-hee said. "We will continue to actively pursue sustainable job policies to make Gangdong a great place to work and a great place to do business."
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