South Korea jobless rate up in January

[SEOUL] South Korea's jobless rate rose in January from a month earlier, with more graduates and early retirees seeking work, government data showed Wednesday.

The jobless rate stood at 3.8 per cent last month, up from 3.4 per cent in December and 3.5 per cent a year ago, Statistics Korea said.

But the seasonally adjusted jobless rate edged down to 3.4 per cent from 3.5 per cent the previous month.

"The jobless rate went up as more people, including graduate students and those in their 50s, looked for jobs," Statistics Korea said in a press statement.

Unemployment among those aged 15-29 also inched up to 9.2 per cent from 9.0 per cent a month earlier.

AFP