The Korea Employment Information Service (KEIS) commits to the ILO-led UN Global Initiative on Decent Jobs For Youth to generate knowledge on the youth employment situation in Korea on the basis of which evidence-informed policies and support services for young people in Korea can be designed. KEIS will conduct and share the findings from the latest Youth Panel (YP) survey project which will be used to inform education and employment policies for youth in Korea.

In recent years, youth employment challenges in Korea have exacerbated due to factors such as skill mismatches and the lack of adequate job opportunities for young people. To assess and respond to the evolving youth employment situation in the country, Korea Information Service (KEIS) has been conducting a cohort panel survey since 2001.

Through the YP project and commitment to Decent Jobs for Youth, KEIS aims to inform policies for youth development and contributes to advancing youth-related research efforts. The commitment will promote knowledge-sharing and international peer-learning among Public Employment Services and partners of Decent Jobs for Youth on employment challenges faced by young people and how career services can best respond to youth needs. The survey and its findings could also support the development of policies and services to promote better career guidance for young people.

Na Yeong-don, the president of the Korea Employment Information Service said, "As the demand for evidence in supporting young people evolves with changes in the labor market amid digital transformation and technological advancements, this mutual commitment aims to help address the youth employment challenges by sharing the experience of Korea's youth panel policy with the international community."

Sangheon Lee, Director of the Employment Policy Department of the ILO welcomes KEIS’s commitment to Decent Jobs for Youth: ‘‘Young women and men today are more than ever in need of support to enter and advance in the labour market. Public support, especially timely and relevant information and assistance is crucial in helping young people navigate the rapidly evolving labour market. We are pleased to join forces with KEIS to provide informed solutions for youth unemployment.

Introduction to the Youth Panel (YP) Survey

Currently, KEIS is undertaking the production of a basic database and primary research to carry out the survey. The survey will seek to gain insights on topics such as young people’s  education, job search motivation and history, job experiences and career guidance. 

The outcomes from this survey will support the design and implementation of youth-targeted policies and systems in education, employment, and welfare.

Introduction to Korea Employment Information Service

Korea Employment Information Service (KEIS) is a public agency whose mission is to match people with jobs and contribute to improving the quality of life of Korean people by providing digitalized employment information. In addition, the KEIS provides high-quality information on job vacancy and employment support, and operates three major national employment information systems, including employment insurance, vocational training network (HRD-Net), and Work-Net, which is known as Korea's representative employment portal. In addition, based on the collected data on employment and labor from the systems, the KEIS conducts basic research and produces information on employment trends, labor force supply and demand, employment services, occupations and careers, employment policy evaluation and monitoring, and youth policy for the establishment of employment policy.

The Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Decent Jobs for Youth was launched in 2016 as a UN system-wide effort, focusing on the youth employment challenge that is central to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It has emerged as a global, multi-stakeholder initiative that brings together governments, social partners, the private sector, youth and civil society organizations, and others. They work together to share knowledge, leverage resources, and take action at country and regional level, to support young people in accessing decent work and productive employment worldwide.

For more information, please contact:

• Eunji Kang, International cooperation, Korea Employment Information Service (KEIS): kej7181@keis.or.kr


• The Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth: decentjobsforyouth@ilo.org