The Ministry of Employment and Labor has decided to extend the designation period for the employment crisis response areas in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do, by one year during the 7th Employment Policy Council meeting for 2026. This extension will last until November 20 of next year.
According to the ministry on November 11, the 'employment crisis response area' system is designed to proactively support regions at risk of rapid employment deterioration to prevent actual employment crises from occurring.
Pohang and Seosan, which are experiencing employment instability due to downturns in the steel and petrochemical industries, were first designated as employment crisis response areas in November 2025. The extension was made considering the current business conditions and local employment situations.
With this extension, businesses in Pohang and Seosan will receive preferential treatment regarding government support programs, such as employment maintenance subsidies. Employers in these areas will be eligible for higher levels of employment maintenance subsidies compared to other regions, and trainees using the National Tomorrow Learning Card will be able to participate in vocational training with lower personal costs. Additionally, those applying for living stability fund loans will benefit from increased loan limits and durations.
Minister Kim Young-hoon stated, "As the steel and petrochemical industries are currently facing difficulties, the related regions are also experiencing employment instability. We will strengthen support to ensure that this instability does not lead to an actual employment crisis, while closely monitoring the local employment situation and responding swiftly."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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