Korea's manufacturing jobs rise for first time in 27 months

What happened: South Korea's manufacturing employment rose for the first time in 27 months in September, with 4.36 million employed, up 16,000 from a year earlier, per the Ministry of Data and Statistics. Key numbers: Manufacturing up 16,000, first gain since June 2024 after 26 months of losses. Total employed rose 113,000 to 29.27 million. Accommodation and food services lost 97,000 jobs. Why it matters: The ministry said export strength was feeding through to employment, while health and welfare gains offset losses elsewhere, leaving the overall slowdown smaller than expected.

Manufacturing jobs rose for the first time in 27 months, signaling a labor market turnaround.

Manufacturing jobs rose for the first time in 27 months, signaling a labor market turnaround. — impact context not separately stored; see What changed.