Young Koreans say opportunity gaps push them to Seoul

SEOUL, South Korea — About 30,000 young Koreans move to Seoul each year in net terms for school or work as jobs and career-building opportunities remain concentrated in the capital, according to The Korea Times.

The report, based on a roundtable with eight participants and Ministry of Data and Statistics figures, highlights how regional opportunity gaps shape choices for young adults outside the capital.

The Korea Times reported that participants in a roundtable discussion described a mismatch between available regional jobs and the fields, entry-level openings and career paths they want.

"It's true. On the job hunt, I was asked, 'You can just get a job in your region. Why come all the way up to Seoul where competition is tough?' I thought it was rude. It overlooks that there are no jobs in the regions," Participant 3 said, according to The Korea Times.

Participant 5 said regional employers exist but often do not meet young workers' needs. "Right. There are companies in the regions. But once you check whether they have the kind of job I want, whether they hire entry-level, whether you can build a career, the options shrink fast," Participant 5 said.

The report said internships, interviews, student ambassador programs, job-search clubs, training courses, auditions and agencies are frequently centered in Seoul. Participant 1 cited Linkareer, a recruitment and career information platform, saying Busan had about three internship listings while Seoul had 601.

Participants also said older Jeolla-Gyeongsang regional antagonism has weakened among people in their 20s but remains in jokes, casual ridicule and online culture. "The regional rivalry between Gyeongsang and Jeolla doesn't seem that strong among people in their 20s these days," Participant 7 said.

The Korea Times said the article was originally from Hankook Ilbo, its sister publication, translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

"What matters isn't holding young people in the regions. It's creating options so they can choose their own lives in the regions too," Participant 2 said, according to The Korea Times.